Cow protection, fodder development and overall growth of dairy were the priority areas of Yogi government in Uttar Pradesh since it came into being in 2017. Among several pro-active steps in the field included the “Mini Nandini Krishak Samriddhi Yojana” . It is one of the flagship dairy development initiatives of the Uttar Pradesh government aimed at promoting small-scale commercial dairy farming, increasing farmers’ income, and generating rural employment. It complements the larger Nandini Krishak Samriddhi Yojana by targeting farmers who wish to establish relatively smaller dairy units.Owing to some novel steps taken by Uttar Pradesh government under Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh’s dairy economy has been strengtyhened and contributed to maintaining its position as India’s largest milk-producing state. The basic aims of the scheme are to encourage rural youth, women and small farmers to take up dairy farming as an enterprise. , increase milk production in the state, promote organized dairy entrepreneurship, create sustainable livelihoods through livestock-based income and strengthen the dairy value chain and support the state’s ambition to become a leading milk producer.Mini Nandini Yojana is an important component of the state’s broader dairy development strategy, combining financial support, breed improvement, entrepreneurship promotion, and rural livelihood generation.Financial assistance is provided for establishing small dairy units. The project cost is financed through: 50 percent government subsidy, 35 percent bank loan, 15 percent beneficiary contribution. The sceme aims to expand cooperative dairies and milk procurement networks, and promote indigenous breeds such as Gir, Sahiwal, Gangatiri and Sindhi.
Postive Results so Far
Together, these initiatives have:
- Encouraged dairy entrepreneurship among small and marginal farmers.
- Increased investment in the livestock sector.
- Enhanced rural employment opportunities.
