The present National Livestock Mission (NLM) approved by the Cabinet in 2021-22 following the realignment of the erstwhile National Livestock Mission (implemented since 2014-15), encompasses entrepreneurial and genetic upgradation activities for sheep, goats, pigs, poultry, and fodder development. The scheme was further realigned with Cabinet approval in February 2024 to expand its scope by including the conservation and genetic improvement of indigenous breeds of horses, camels, and donkeys. The NLM has three sub-missions:

1. Sub-mission on Breed Development of Livestock and Poultry
2. Sub-mission on Feed and Fodder Development
3. Sub-mission on Innovation and Extension

Each sub-mission includes specific activities, as detailed below:

1. Sub-mission on Breed Development of Livestock and Poultry

(i) Establishment of Entrepreneurs for Breed Development: The Central Government provides a 50% capital subsidy of up to ₹50 lakh to individuals, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Farmers Producer Organizations (FPOs), Farmers Cooperatives (FCOs), Joint Liability Groups (JLGs), and Section 8 companies for the establishment of rural poultry, small ruminants (sheep and goat), piggery, horse, camel, and donkey farms.

(ii) Genetic Improvement of Sheep and Goat Breeds

• Establishment of Regional Semen Production Laboratories and Semen Banks: One-time grants-in-aid of up to ₹400 lakh are provided to state governments for setting up sheep and goat semen laboratories.
• Establishment of State Semen Banks: One-time assistance of up to ₹10 lakh is provided for strengthening existing cattle and buffalo semen banks to store and distribute goat frozen semen.
• Propagation of Artificial Insemination (AI) through existing cattle and buffalo AI centers: One-time assistance of up to ₹7,000 per center is provided for procurement of necessary equipment to facilitate AI in goats.
• Import of Exotic Sheep and Goat Germplasm: Assistance is provided to State Animal Husbandry Departments for need-based imports to enhance productivity.

(iii) Genetic Improvement of Pig Breeds

• Establishment of Pig Semen Collection and Processing Labs: One-time assistance of up to ₹150 lakh is provided to the Animal Husbandry Department.

· Import of Exotic Pig Germplasm: The Central Government assists states for need-based imports to improve non-descript pig breeds and produce quality crossbred animals.

(iv) Genetic Improvement of Horses, Donkeys, Mules, and Camels

• Regional Semen Stations: One-time grants-in-aid of up to ₹10 crore are provided to state governments for establishing semen stations for indigenous horses, donkeys, mules, and camels.
• Nucleus Breeding Farms: One-time grants-in-aid of up to ₹10 crore are provided for the conservation and improvement of horse, donkey, and camel breeds.
• Breed Registration Societies: 100% assistance is provided for establishing societies to register indigenous breeds and maintain records, traceability, and related activities.

2. Sub-mission on Feed and Fodder Development: Support is extended for quality fodder seed production, entrepreneurial ventures in fodder processing, and fodder cultivation on degraded lands.

• Fodder Seed Production: Financial assistance for breeder seed (₹250/kg), foundation seed (₹150/kg), and certified seed (₹100/kg) are provided to different agencies.
• Entrepreneurial Support: 50% capital subsidy up to ₹50 lakh for setting up hay, silage, total mixed ration (TMR), fodder block units, and seed processing infrastructure.
• Fodder Production on Wasteland and Forest Land: Central assistance is provided to Animal Husbandry and Agriculture Departments, Milk Cooperatives, Federations, and Gaushalas for promoting fodder cultivation in degraded areas.

3. Sub-mission on Innovation and Extension

(i) Research and Development & Innovations: 100% assistance is provided to ICAR institutes, central/state universities, and other credible institutions for R&D in sheep, goats, poultry, pigs, and fodder sectors. Start-ups are incentivized through the Grand Challenge Initiative for problem-solving in these sectors.

(ii) Extension Activities: Assistance is provided to state governments for scheme promotion and awareness through IEC activities, including, Seminars, Training and capacity building, Livestock Farmers Groups/Breeders’ Associations, Promotional events such as livestock melas.

(iii) Livestock Insurance Programme: Beneficiaries contribute 15% of the premium, while the remaining 85% is shared by the Central and State Governments (funding pattern: 60:40 and 90:10 for Himalayan/North-Eastern states). For Union Territories, 100% subsidy is provided. Subsidies are limited to 10 cattle units per household for sheep/goats; 5 cattle units per household for pigs/rabbits (1 cattle unit = 10 sheep/goats/pigs/rabbits)

The detailed guidelines are available in the website of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying www.dahd.gov.in and www.nlm.udyamimitra.in.

As per the information available from the Animal Husbandry Department of Tamil Nadu, under the National Livestock Mission - Entrepreneurship Development Programme (NLM-EDP), 142 applications with a total project cost of ₹93.17 crore were approved. Since its implementation, 8,68,744 farmers have benefited from the Livestock Insurance scheme.

The total outlay for the realigned National Livestock Mission (NLM), as approved by the Cabinet, is ₹2,300 crore. Out of this, ₹1,498 crore was allocated as per the Revised Estimate (RE) since 2021-22. Till date, ₹1,283.95 crore (including the mother sanction of ₹36.25 crore) has been expended. Of this, ₹26.51 crore has been utilized by Tamil Nadu for productivity enhancement and breeding under the National Livestock Mission. However, since NLM does not cover livestock health, no funds have been released or utilized for livestock health under this scheme.

Animal Husbandry is a State subject. The Central Government implements various schemes such as the Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM), the National Livestock Mission (NLM), the National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD), the Livestock Health and Disease Control (LH&DC) Programme, and the Infrastructure Development Fund to supplement the efforts of State Governments in the development of animal husbandry, vaccination, and fodder production.

The vaccination is not covered under the NLM scheme, however, the Government of India supports State Governments in implementing vaccination programs for improving animal health through the Livestock Health & Disease Control Programme (LH&DC).

The NLM scheme is demand-driven, and the Central Government provides financial assistance based on the Action Plan submitted by the State Government under the activities permitted within the scheme.

The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying has advised for the establishment of a Fodder Task Force by the State Government, with the primary objective of extending fodder cultivation areas specifically identifying forest and wasteland areas for fodder development. Under NLM-EDP, project proposals related to feed and fodder (including silage) are being approved. So far, a fodder production capacity of 5000 MT per annum in the state has been sanctioned under NLM-EDP.

Since its implementation, 8,68,744 farmers have benefited under Livestock Insurance, with financial assistance provided for premium payments to insure their livestock. A total of 142 farmers have benefited under the NLM-EDP activity, for which subsidies have been approved.

Additionally, extensive awareness initiatives such as seminars, video conferences, advisories to States, and regional review meetings are undertaken to promote these schemes and ensure their effective implementation for the benefit of farmers. Funds under 100% central assistance are also provided to States for awareness and publicity under the National Livestock Mission (NLM).

This information was given by Union Minister of State, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel, in a written reply in Lok Sabha on 18th March, 2025.

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