The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the continuation of the Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF). This fund will be implemented under the Infrastructure Development Fund (IDF) and has been allocated an outlay of Rs. 29,610.25 crore for an additional three years, extending up to 2025-26.
Objectives:
The scheme aims to incentivize investments in various areas of the animal husbandry sector, including Dairy processing, Meat processing, Animal Feed Plants, Breed multiplication farms, Animal Waste to Wealth Management (Agri-waste management), and Veterinary vaccine and drug production facilities.
Financial Support:
- The Government of India will provide a 3% interest subvention for a period of 8 years, including a two-year moratorium.
- Eligible entities for the scheme include individuals, Private Companies, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPO), Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and Section 8 companies.
- Dairy Cooperatives are now eligible for benefits, supporting modernization and strengthening of dairy plants.
Credit Guarantee:
- The Government of India will offer credit guarantee to MSMEs and Dairy Cooperatives, covering up to 25% of the credit borrowed from the Credit Guarantee Fund of Rs. 750 crore.
Impact of AHIDF:
- The scheme has resulted in the addition of 141.04 LLPD of milk processing capacity, 79.24 lakh metric tons of feed processing capacity, and 9.06 lakh metric tons of meat processing capacity since its inception.
- Processing capacity in dairy, meat, and animal feed sectors has increased by 2-4%.
New Inclusions:
- The scheme now includes activities like technologically assisted breed multiplication farms, strengthening of veterinary drugs and vaccine units, and Animal Waste to Wealth Management.
Potential for Infrastructure Upgrade:
- AHIDF presents a significant potential for upgrading infrastructure in the livestock sector, offering opportunities in value addition, cold chain facilities, and integrated units of Dairy, Meat, and Animal Feed.
Employment Generation and Wealth Creation:
- The scheme aims to generate employment directly and indirectly for approximately 35 lakh people through entrepreneurship development.
- It aligns with the goal of doubling farmers’ income and contributes to wealth creation in the livestock sector.
Export Promotion:
- AHIDF contributes to the nation’s economy by promoting the export of livestock products.
- Investments in processing and value addition infrastructure facilitate the export of processed and value-added commodities.
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs):
- What is the outlay allocated for the Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) for the next three years?
- A) Rs. 10,000 crore
- B) Rs. 20,000 crore
- C) Rs. 29,610.25 crore
- D) Rs. 50,000 crore
- Answer: C) Rs. 29,610.25 crore
- Which entities are eligible to benefit from the AHIDF scheme?
- A) Government organizations only
- B) Individuals, Private Companies, FPO, MSME, Section 8 companies
- C) Only Dairy Cooperatives
- D) Only large corporations
- Answer: B) Individuals, Private Companies, FPO, MSME, Section 8 companies
- What is the Government of India providing to MSMEs and Dairy Cooperatives as part of the AHIDF scheme?
- A) Interest subvention
- B) Credit guarantee up to 50%
- C) 3% interest subvention and credit guarantee up to 25%
- D) No financial support
- Answer: C) 3% interest subvention and credit guarantee up to 25%
- What activities have been included in the AHIDF scheme to enhance its potential?
- A) Dairy processing only
- B) Meat processing and product diversification only
- C) Technologically assisted breed multiplication farms, veterinary drugs, and vaccine units, Animal Waste to Wealth Management
- D) Animal Feed Plant and Breed multiplication farm only
- Answer: C) Technologically assisted breed multiplication farms, veterinary drugs, and vaccine units, Animal Waste to Wealth Management