Parliament Question: Promotion of Goat Farming

**Executive Summary:** This document addresses Lok Sabha question 3902 regarding delays in grant distribution for goat farming projects under the Rashtriya Pashudhan Abhiyan. While there is no such program, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying supports goat breeding farms through the National Livestock Mission Entrepreneurship Development Programme (NLMEDP) under the National Livestock Mission (NLM) scheme, offering capital subsidies. The release of subsidies is contingent on project compliance, bank loan availability, and other clearances, with no prescribed time limit for distribution. The reply date is August 12, 2025. **Key Points / Main Content:** * **Scheme Clarification:** * The Government of India does not have a program called Rashtriya Pashudhan Abhiyan for promoting goat farming. * Goat farming is supported under the National Livestock Mission (NLM) through the National Livestock Mission Entrepreneurship Development Programme (NLMEDP). * **Financial Assistance:** * NLMEDP provides a 50% capital subsidy, up to 50 lakh, for establishing goat breeding farms, as well as poultry, sheep, pig, horse, camel and donkey breeding farms, as well as feed and fodder units, including Silage, Total Mixed Ration and Seed grading units. * Eligible applicants include individuals, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Joint Liability Groups (JLGs), Farmer Cooperative Organizations (FCOs) and Section 8 companies. * Subsidies are released sequentially through the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) to eligible beneficiaries, subject to fund availability, adherence to guidelines, and approval by the State Level Executive Committee. * **Delays in Grant Distribution:** * Delays have been observed due to delayed project completion by applicants and delayed loan disbursement by banks. * **Chandrapur District Status:** * Five goat farming projects have been approved in Chandrapur district, with a total cost of 3.08 crore and a sanctioned subsidy of 1.39 crore. * Subsidies have been distributed to two beneficiaries, totaling 0.30 crore. * Three projects are pending at different levels (State Implementing Agency (SIA), Bank, and SIDBI). * **State-Level Support:** * There is no specific provision for special financial assistance to state governments to address grant distribution delays. * However, states can receive 1.05 Cr. as Administrative Cost for establishing entrepreneurship development facilitation help desks, workshops, and skill-based training. * Each state has a State Nodal Officer (SNO) for project appraisal, monitoring, and verification. * **Monitoring and Review Mechanisms:** * The Department conducts video conferences, review meetings, and field visits with State Implementing Agencies (SIA). * A Central-Level Bankers Coordinating Committee (CLBC) reviews pendency and beneficiary difficulties. * **Time Limit:** * There is no prescribed time limit for the distribution of pending grants, as it depends on project compliance, bank loan availability, and other clearances. * **Maharashtra Project Status:** * Total 366 projects approved. * 190 approved projects yet to receive subsidy **Impact Analysis** * **Beneficiaries (Farmers, FPOs, SHGs, JLGs, FCOs, Section 8 companies):** * *Impact:* * Timely receipt of subsidies is crucial for establishing and operating goat breeding farms and related units. Delays can affect project viability and financial stability. * *Action Required:* * Ensure timely project completion. * Comply with all guidelines and requirements for subsidy disbursement. * Follow up with banks and relevant agencies to expedite loan processing and subsidy release. * **State Governments:** * *Impact:* * Responsible for facilitating project appraisal, monitoring, and verification through State Implementing Agencies (SIA) and State Nodal Officers (SNOs). * Delays in grant distribution can reflect on the effectiveness of state-level implementation. * *Action Required:* * Expedite project appraisal and verification processes. * Utilize available funds for establishing facilitation help desks, workshops, and training programs. * Coordinate with banks and SIDBI to resolve bottlenecks in loan and subsidy disbursement. * **Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI):** * *Impact:* * Responsible for releasing subsidies to eligible beneficiaries. * Efficiency in subsidy disbursement directly affects the success of the NLMEDP scheme. * *Action Required:* * Streamline subsidy release processes. * Ensure timely disbursement of funds to eligible beneficiaries, subject to compliance with guidelines and fund availability. * **Banks:** * *Impact:* * Responsible for loan disbursement to beneficiaries. * Delays in loan disbursement contribute to overall delays in project implementation and subsidy release. * *Action Required:* * Expedite loan processing for approved goat farming projects. * Coordinate with beneficiaries and relevant agencies to resolve any issues hindering loan disbursement.

Key Entities Referenced