Patna: The Bihar government has opened applications for its Samagra Gavya Vikas Yojana, a scheme aimed at promoting self-employment among farmers and unemployed youth by encouraging dairy farming.
The scheme, led by the state’s Animal and Fisheries Resources Department, provides a combination of loans and grants to set up dairy units. Interested individuals can apply online through the official portal dairy.bihar.gov.in until July 25.
The initiative is part of a broader effort to increase milk production in Bihar and offer sustainable livelihood opportunities. Under the scheme, financial support is available for units comprising two, four, 15 or 20 high-yield dairy cows or heifers.
For smaller units, the government has fixed a cost of Rs 1.74 lakh for two cattle and Rs 3.90 lakh for four cattle. Members of extremely backward classes and scheduled castes and tribes are eligible for a 75% subsidy, while others receive a 50% subsidy.
Larger units of 15 and 20 cattle are open to all social categories, with a 40% subsidy on fixed costs of Rs 15.34 lakh and Rs 20.22 lakh respectively.
So far, 1,849 applications have been received under the scheme. Of these, 1,267 are for the two-cattle category, 447 for four cattle, 75 for 15 cattle, and 60 for 20 cattle.
