The Jharkhand state administration has decided to change the directions for livestock distribution under the Mukhyamantri Pashudhan Yojana, which was inaugurated in 2020. On the 8th of December (Wednesday), a proposal was sent to Badal Patralekh, Minister of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cooperation, to form a committee to amend the scheme's criteria after milk producers stated that they had received no benefit from the scheme owing to policy obstacles.
According to the dairy development department's data, a total of 6324 milk producers got subsidies for buying animals under the scheme in the fiscal year 2020-2021.
While attending a gathering commemorating National Milk Day, state milk producers pointed out the scheme's inadequacies. "This program only sells about 10% of cows because farmers find buying livestock from listed vendors too expensive," said Nilesh, a milk producer, representing the interests.
Government Provides 50% Subsidy on Cost of Cattle
The state government provides a 50% subsidy on the cost of cattle under the Mukhyamantri Pashudhan Yojana, but farmers are responsible for the remainder of the cost.
Farmers allege they are unable to get high-yielding cattle or find competitive rates since the number of vendors from whom they can purchase livestock is limited. "The farmers believe that this arrangement is more for the benefit of the vendors than for them," said a Jharkhand Milk Federation official who declined to be named.
"The scheme says the directorate will empanel the suppliers, and farmers are free to buy from any of them," said Aboobacker Siddique, secretary of the Agriculture Department. Farmers may be exploited by sellers if the empanelment is not in place.
Two Reasons for Cattle Distribution
There are two key causes for the lower distribution of cattle under the scheme," stated Shashi Prakash Jha, Director of Dairy Development Board. The "Pashu Mela" was first outlawed due to the threat of a pandemic. Second, the identical plan existed previously under a different name, with farmers receiving a 90% subsidy. However, under the current structure, it's a 50-50 split."
To address this issue, the secretary has decided to form a committee comprised of two farmers—one a milk producer and the other an animal husbandry farmer—to ensure openness and grievance settlement.
The technique for selecting a farmer was detailed by Aboobacker Siddique. "The farmer is chosen by the gram Sabha, which makes a recommendation to the BDO," he explained. It will be brought to the district committee through the BDO. The ultimate decision will be made by a committee led by the deputy commissioner."
