Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairy Minister Parshottam Rupala launched the restructured Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) scheme on Wednesday. He urged cooperatives and industries to take full advantage of it. According to an official statement, Rupala also unveiled a ‘radio jingle’ promoting AHIDF. Speaking on the occasion, the Union Minister highlighted that the scheme was initially introduced during the challenging Covid period. Now revamped, the scheme is set to be implemented over the next three years.
What is the AHIDF Scheme?
The Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) is a central sector scheme designed to promote investments in the animal husbandry sector. It was introduced as part of the Prime Minister’s Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan stimulus package.
3% Interest Subvention for Dairy Cooperatives
Industries, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), and dairy cooperatives are encouraged to take advantage of the revamped AHIDF scheme. The Union Cabinet has approved the scheme’s restructuring with an outlay of ₹29,610 crore. Dairy cooperatives can now avail of a 3% interest subvention under this initiative, said Minister Rupala.
Benefits for Milk Producers
Dairy cooperatives will also receive credit guarantee support through the AHIDF Credit Guarantee Fund. This will enable them to modernize their processing infrastructure with advanced technology, benefiting countless milk producers across the country.
Key Objectives of the AHIDF Scheme
- Improved Market Access: Provide unorganised rural milk and meat producers with better access to organized markets for milk and meat.
- Enhanced Processing Capacity: Increase milk and meat processing capabilities to boost product diversification.
- Infrastructure Modernization: Equip dairy cooperatives with modern processing technologies to enhance efficiency and product quality.
Who are eligible under AHIDF?
- Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs)
- Private companies
- Individual entrepreneurs
- Section 8 companies
- Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs)
Activities Supported Under Animal Feed Development
The following activities related to animal feed manufacturing and strengthening of existing units or plants are eligible for support:
- Establishment of Animal Feed Plants: Mini, medium, and large-scale animal feed manufacturing units.
- Total Mixed Ration Block Making Units: Setting up facilities for producing Total Mixed Ration (TMR) blocks.
- Specialized Feed Production: Units for bypass protein, mineral mixture plants, and other specialized feed production.
- Silage Production: Establishing enriched silage-making units.
- Animal Feed Testing Facilities: Setting up laboratories for testing animal feed.
- Additional Feed Manufacturing Activities: Units for manufacturing feed supplements, feed premixes, and mineral mixtures under the animal feed category.