Pondy govt launches dairy development scheme

The Puducherry administration has launched a central government-sponsored scheme to promote dairy activities and enhance socio-economic status of the farmers in the Union Territory.
Under the scheme Rashtriya Kisan Yojana, 400 beneficiaries have been selected in the first phase of which 27 have been extended a subsidy of Rs 50,000 each running to a total of Rs 13.5 lakh. However, the rest would be sanctioned the amount in the next phase, official sources said.
They said the scheme envisages distribution of fifty per cent subsidy for each farmer starting dairy projects.
Each farmer would get Rs 50,000 to launch a mini-dairy project with three milch cows. This subsidy is meant to enable the farmers to purchase milch animals and meet part of the expenditure to raise infrastructure for cow shed.

Government has also formulated a separate scheme to assist farmers living below poverty line and initially 47 farmers would be extended a total subsidy of Rs 12.500 each as 50 per cent subsidy for purchasing a milch cow.
Sources said that these efforts were to ensure that the milk production in Puducherry improved as there is a spiralling demand for milk from different sectors. With hotels, restaurants and small eateries coming up fast in Puducherry, demand for milk has also shot up.