Executive Summary:
This document addresses Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1414 regarding animal feed plants in Maharashtra, specifically in Akola and Washim districts. It outlines the government's support mechanisms for establishing animal feed manufacturing units and promoting sustainable animal feed production through existing schemes like AHIDF and NLM. The response details various initiatives and support provided to farmers, entrepreneurs, and organizations for fodder development and animal feed production. Key awareness events like the Entrepreneurship Development Conclave 2025 in Pune are mentioned.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Animal Feed Plants in Akola/Washim:**
* The government has no current proposals to establish animal feed plants in Akola or Washim districts.
* **Government Support Mechanisms:**
* Support is provided through the Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) and the National Livestock Mission (NLM) schemes.
* Under AHIDF, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are eligible for benefits to establish animal feed plants.
* Proposals are considered based on merit, eligibility, project viability, adherence to guidelines, and loan sanction, irrespective of location.
* NLM includes a Sub-Mission on Feed and Fodder Development since 2014-15, realigned in July 2021 and March 2024, to enhance fodder availability.
* **National Livestock Mission (NLM) Components:**
* Assistance for quality fodder seed production with incentives for Breeder, Foundation, and Certified seeds.
* Entrepreneurial activities in feed and fodder, including infrastructure development for Hay/Silage/Total Mixed Ration (TMR)/Fodder Block and storage, with a 50% subsidy up to Rs. 50 lakhs.
* Establishment of seed processing and grading infrastructure with a 50% subsidy up to Rs. 50 lakhs.
* Fodder Production from Non-Forest Wasteland/rangeland/Non-arable lands.
* Fodder Production from Forest Lands.
* **Other Initiatives:**
* The Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DAFW) promotes 100 fodder-centric Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) through the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB).
* The Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute (IGFRI) has developed Fodder Resources Development Plans for 29 states, including Maharashtra, with area-specific strategies.
* Awareness initiatives, seminars, video conferences, advisories, and regional review meetings are conducted to promote animal feed manufacturing units.
* Entrepreneurship Development Conclave 2025 in Pune, Maharashtra, was held to promote the sector.
Impact Analysis:
* Farmers and Animal Rearers:
* Impact: Benefit from enhanced fodder availability, subsidized infrastructure for feed production, and access to quality seeds.
* Action Required: Explore opportunities under AHIDF and NLM, participate in FPOs, and adopt strategies from Fodder Resources Development Plans.
* Entrepreneurs (including MSMEs), Private Companies, FPOs, Dairy Cooperatives and Section 8 companies:
* Impact: Can avail interest subvention and subsidies for establishing animal feed plants and fodder-related infrastructure.
* Action Required: Prepare viable project proposals adhering to scheme guidelines, apply through the online portal, and secure loan sanction from lending institutions.
* State Governments and Union Territories:
* Impact: Receive support to supplement their efforts in fodder development and animal feed production through centrally sponsored schemes.
* Action Required: Implement NLM components, utilize Fodder Resources Development Plans, and participate in awareness initiatives.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying: The Indian government ministry responsible for policies related to fisheries, animal husbandry, and dairying.
Maharashtra: A state in India, specifically mentioned in the context of animal feed plants and government proposals.
Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund AHIDF: A Government of India scheme to support the establishment of animal feed plants and other related infrastructure.
National Livestock Mission NLM: A centrally sponsored scheme by the Government of India to promote livestock development, including feed and fodder development.
Micro Small Medium Enterprise MSME: Eligible entity for availing benefit for establishment of Animal feed plants under AHIDF
Farmer Producer Organization FPO: An organization of farmers that can receive support for establishing animal feed plants.
Department of Agriculture Farmers Welfare DAFW: A department implementing the Central Sector Scheme Formation and Promotion of 10,000 Farmer Producer Organisations FPOs
Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute IGFRI Jhansi Uttar Pradesh: An ICAR institute that has developed Fodder Resources Development Plans for states including Maharashtra.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 1414
TO BE ANSWERED ON 29th JULY 2025
ANIMAL FEED PLANTS IN MAHARASHTRA
1414. SHRI ANUP SANJAY DHOTRE:
Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
मत्स्यपालन, पशुपालन और डेयरी मंत्री
be pleased to state:
(a) whether there is any proposals of the Government to set up animal feed plants in Akola or
Washim districts of Maharashtra;
(b) the steps being taken by the Government to encourage the establishment of animal feed
manufacturing units in rural areas, particularly in districts like Akola and Washim;
(c) whether the Government has any proposals to collaborate with startups that focus on
sustainable animal feed production, specifically in Maharashtra;
(d) the support/mechanisms placed by the Government to facilitate the growth of sustainable
animal feed production in Maharashtra; and
(e) the manner by which these initiatives benefit farmers and animal rearers in districts like
Akola and Washim?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND
DAIRYING
(PROF. S.P. SINGH BAGHEL)
(a). No Sir. Government is not in receipt of any proposal to set up animal feed plants in Akola
or Washim districts of Maharashtra.
(b), (c), (d) & (e)The Govt. of India provides support related to feed and fodder development
activities underAnimal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) and National
Livestock Mission (NLM) schemes.
Under Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF), Micro Small & Medium
Enterprise (MSME) is an eligible entity for availing benefit for establishment of Animal feed
plants. The scheme is demand driven wherein proposals are considered based on merit and
eligibility, irrespective of geographical location. Applications are processed through a
transparent online portal and approvals are granted based on project viability, adherence to
scheme guidelines and loan sanction by the concerned lending institutions.
In addition to Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF), (where interest
subvention is provided to Dairy Co-operatives, Farmer Producer Organization (FPO), Private
companies, individual entrepreneur, Section 8 companies, and Micro Small & Medium
Enterprise (MSME) for establishment of Animal feed plants) Department is also supplementing
the efforts made by the State Governments and Union Territories by implementing Centrally
Sponsored Scheme National Livestock Mission with a Sub Mission on Feed and Fodder
Development since 2014-15. The scheme has been realigned in July 2021 and again in March
2024 with objective to enhance the fodder availability with following components:
i. Assistance for quality fodder seed production under which the incentives up to Rs.250/kg,
Rs.150/kg and Rs.100 Rs/kg are given for production of Breeder, Foundation and
Certified seeds respectively.
ii. Entrepreneurial activities in feed and fodder for Infrastructure development related to
Hay/Silage/Total Mixed Ration(TMR)/ Fodder Block and storage of fodder where insubsidy of 50% of the total project cost (up to Rs.50 lakhs) is provided to the
beneficiaries.
iii. Establishment of seed processing and grading infrastructure under Entrepreneurial
activities where in subsidy of 50% of the total project cost (up to Rs.50 lakhs) is provided
to the beneficiaries.
iv. Fodder Production from Non Forest Wasteland/rangeland/Non arable lands.
v. Fodder Production from Forest Lands.
Besides above, Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare (DA&FW) is implementing the
Central Sector Scheme “Formation and Promotion of 10,000 Farmer Producer Organisations
(FPOs)” through National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) as implementing agency to form
and promote 100 FPOs, primarily fodder centric FPOs.
Further, Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute (IGFRI Jhansi- ICAR) has developed
Fodder Resources Development Plans for 29 States including Maharashtra which include
an area-specific strategy to be adopted to overcome the deficiency of green and dry fodder of
the region and also to provide an executable plan for the State government and other agencies
involved in livestock-related policy and planning.
The Department has also undertaken extensive awareness initiatives such as seminars, video
conferences and advisories to States, and regional review meetings to promote and encourage
the establishment of animal feed manufacturing units in rural areas. It organized several key
events during January 2025, including the Entrepreneurship Development Conclave 2025 in
Pune, Maharashtra, and the Conclave on the Theme “Dialogue for Holistic Development of the
Livestock Sector” in Shillong, Meghalaya.
****