Parliament Question: Self-Reliant Gaushalas

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 377 ANSWERED ON 21st JULY, 2026 SELF-RELIANT GAUSHALAS 377. SHRI ANUP SANJAY DHOTRE: Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING मत्स्यपालन, पशुपालन और डेयरी मंत्री be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has formulated or is in the process of formulating any comprehensive strategy to make Gaushalas self-reliant through activities such as compost fertilizer production, milk and ghee processing, and bio-gas/based power generation under the Cow/Progeny Development Scheme and if so, the details thereof; (b) the steps taken by the Government to enhance public–private partnerships in the management and operation of Gaushalas and to promote the production of medicines and other useful products derived from cow-based resources; and (c) whether any financial or technical assistance is being provided by the Government to such Gaushalas for capacity building and value addition and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING (SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH) (a) Animal Husbandry and management of stray cattle including making availability of fodder for stray animals is a state subject. However, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India is implementing the Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) to incentivize establishment of dairy processing and value addition infrastructure. This scheme also provides assistance for establishment of infrastructure for animal waste to wealth management (agri-waste management). Under this component the eligible entities can establish bio-gas/based power generation and compost fertilizer (Phosphate Rich Organic Manure). The eligible entities are Individuals, MSME, Private Companies, FPO, Dairy Cooperatives and Section 8 companies. The scheme envisages 3% interest subvention for eight years with a two-year moratorium on term loan up to 90% of the project cost borrowed from scheduled banks and institutions such as NABARD, NCDC, NDDB, and SIDBI. In addition, the Central Government has established a Credit Guarantee Trust to provide Credit Guarantee up to 25% of term loan to MSME and Dairy Cooperatives. Eligible entities can also take benefit of dovetailing with various central and state government initiatives to ensure holistic development of the dairy ecosystem.The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is promoting the installation of small biogas, medium size biogas plants. Under GOBARdhan (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan) scheme implemented by Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, assistance is provided for setting up of community/ cluster-based bio-gas plant. (b) & (c) Since the establishment of gaushala is State subject, the policy of running of gaushala is determined by the respective state government. States, if required, can frame policy for running of gaushala through Public Private Partnership model. The Animal Welfare Board of India promotes scientific Gaushala management through awareness and capacity-building programmes. The Board has developed a Gaushala Management Training Module and organizes training programmes, workshops and seminars on scientific management of Gaushalas, Panchgavya, utilization of cattle bio-resources (cow dung and cow urine), and production of Panchgavya and other value-added products, with the objective of promoting sustainable and self-reliant Gaushalas ********