NRP Desk
LUCKNOW: Amid the BJP’s continuing Dalit outreach pro gramme, the UP government has launched a goat rearing scheme aimed at boosting income of landless and impoverished live stock farmers from Scheduled Caste (SC) families. The Rx 90-crore scheme for the current financial year aims to boost rural income and nutritional self-sufficiency while reducing malustrimon among dalits who account for around 20% of the state’s total popula tion. The scheme will establish 750 goat farming units across all 75 districts of the state, with cach district receiving 10 units Each unit will consist of five female goats and one male goat. “Goat farming is closely tied to the rural economy and social structure. The milk and meat from goats provide important sources of income and nutrition, an official from the animal husbandry department explained, adding “This business offers minimal risk with maximum profa potential”. The government expects the increased production of goat meat and milk to contribute to the state’s overall gross income while providing employment to to poor families from SC communities. As per guidelines issued by the government on June 18, the total cost per unit is set at is 60.000, with the state government providing 90% (Rs. 54,000) as subsidy. The beneficiaries will contribute the remaining 10% (Rs 6,000). Each male goat is val ued at Rs 10.000 and festale at 1.000. Eligible applicants must be unemployed SC women or men over 18 years of age who reside in the district and have adequate space to keep goats. Priority will be given to widenes and destitute women, with 3% of spots reserved for persons with disa bilities. Preference will also he given to applicants who have received goat farming training from the Sheep and Goat Train ing Center in Etawah or the Con tral Goat Research Institute in Farah. Mathura. The selection process will involve committees at both village and district levds Selected beneficiaries must deposit deposit their their share sh of Rs 6,000 Into their bank account before receiving the government sub-sidy. They will be provided with medicines for the goats and Insurance coverage for one year.
