In January 2025, Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying(MoFAHD) and Ministry of Panchayati Raj(MoPR), inaugurated the ‘Entrepreneurship Development Conclave’ at G.D. Madgulkar Natyagruha in Pune, Maharashtra.
- The event was organized by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) under the MoFAHD with an aim to bring together key policymakers, industry leaders, and stakeholders from the livestock sector to boost innovation and accelerate growth.
- The theme of the event was “Empowering Entrepreneurs: Transforming Livestock Economies”.
Key People:
The event was attended by Union Minister of State (MoS) Satya Pal Singh Baghel, MoFAHD and MoPR; Union MoS George Kurian, MoFAHD and Ministry of Minority Affairs(MoMA) along with Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister(CM) Ajit Pawar and Maharashtra’s Minister for Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Pankaja Pradnya Munde.
Key Highlights:
i. During the event, Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh launched a total of 40 projects. 20 projects each under the National Livestock Mission (NLM) and the Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) with an outlay of Rs 545.04 crores.
- He also launched two compendiums showcasing success stories of AHIDF and NLM beneficiaries.
ii.NLM – Entrepreneurship Development Programme(NLM-EDP) Dashboard was launched to provide an organized summary of project information to the public.
- The updated NLM Operational Guidelines 2.0 and a compilation of success stories were also launched.
iii.The top-performing states Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu(TN) for AHIDF, and Karnataka, Telangana, and Madhya Pradesh (MP) for the Entrepreneurship Programme were awarded during the event.
- Banks such as Canara Bank Limited, State Bank of India(SBI), and HDFC(Housing Development Finance Corporation) Bank Limited were also recognized for their credit support under these schemes.
v.The DAHD declared14th January to 13th February as ‘Animal Husbandry and Animal Welfare Month’ during which awareness campaigns and educational activities will be held in the country.
vi.The conclave also conducted panel discussions on topics like Catalyzing Growth in Livestock Sector: Entrepreneurship, Processing, and Opportunities and Role of Banks and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Livestock Sector and Credit Facilitation.
About Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF):
AHIDF, launched under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Package in 2020, supports projects in dairy processing, meat processing, feed production, and veterinary infrastructure with an outlay of Rs 17,296 crore.
- As of now, 362 projects worth RS 10,356.90 crore have been approved, with Rs 247.69 crore in interest subventions released.
About National Livestock Mission (NLM):
NLM launched in financial year 2014-15 and it has been realigned during 2021-22 with an outlay of Rs. 2,300 crores.
- The re-aligned NLM is having three Sub-Missions viz. Sub-Mission on Breed improvement of Livestock and Poultry, Sub-Mission of Feed & Fodder and Sub-Mission on Innovation and Extension.
About Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (MoFAHD):
Union Minister- Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Constituency – Munger, Bihar)
Minister of State (MoS) – Satya Pal Singh Baghel (Constituency – Agra, Uttar Pradesh, UP)
