Transforming Livestock Economies: FAHD Minister Launches Conclave for Entrepreneurs

The Entrepreneurship Development Conclave 2025, themed “Empowering Entrepreneurs Transforming Livestock Economics,” was held today (January 13, 2025), at G.D. Madulkar Natya Griha in Pune. The event was inaugurated by the Union  Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, alongside Minister of State Shri S.P. Singh Baghel and Shri George Kurien. Maharashtra’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Smt. Pankaja Munde, also graced the occasion.

During the conclave, Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh launched total  40 projects ;   20 projects each  respectively under the National Livestock Mission (NLM) and the Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF).The Ministers visited exhibition stalls, interacted with entrepreneurs, and felicitated top-performing states—Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu for AHIDF, and Karnataka, Telangana, and Madhya Pradesh for the Entrepreneurship Programme. Banks such as Canara Bank, State Bank of India, and HDFC Bank were also recognized for their credit support under these schemes.

The Ministers unveiled two compendiums highlighting success stories of AHIDF and NLM beneficiaries, launched the NLM Operational Guidelines 2.0, and a Monitoring Dashboard for the NLM scheme. Additionally, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying declared January 14 to February 13 as “Animal Husbandry and Animal Welfare Month,” during which awareness campaigns and educational activities will be conducted nationwide.

In his address, Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh expressed gratitude to Smt. Pankaja Munde and the Maharashtra Government for hosting the conclave. He highlighted the role of animal husbandry in rural economic development, the need for FMD vaccination programs to achieve “FMD Mukt Bharat,” and the creation of nine FMD-free zones, including Maharashtra. He encouraged greater participation in government entrepreneurship programs and urged banks to simplify loan processes to support farmers and women entrepreneurs.

He informed that the AHIDF, launched under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Package on June 24, 2020, supports projects in dairy processing, meat processing, feed production, and veterinary infrastructure with an outlay of ₹17,296 crore, now extended with additional funding and expanded benefits. As of now, 362 projects worth ₹10,356.90 crore have been approved, with ₹247.69 crore in interest subventions released.

He further stated that NLM-EDP activity under realigned NLM scheme which was launched during 2021, provides 50% capital subsidy upto Rs. 50.00 lakhs for projects in poultry, sheep, goat, pig, camel, and other livestock, as well as feed processing and grading infrastructure. So far, 3,010 projects with a total cost of ₹2,182.52 crore with subsidies amounting to ₹1,005.87 crore have been approved. The scheme also offers genetic development programs, feed and fodder initiatives, and livestock insurance with premium subsidies based on state classifications.

In her address, Smt. Pankaja Munde emphasized the importance of entrepreneurship for the sector’s growth, productivity enhancement, and requested banks to simplify loan processes for farmers. Shri George Kurien praised Pune as an educational hub and highlighted the creation of over 15,000 jobs through AHIDF and NLM.

Shri S.P. Singh Baghel advocated for adopting innovative animal husbandry techniques over traditional practices and stressed on the importance of accurate livestock census and better breeding practices.

The event began with remarks from Smt. Alka Upadhyaya, Secretary, Government of India, who called animal husbandry a “sunrise sector” with vast investment potential. She lauded Maharashtra for its efforts in manufacturing a vaccine for Lumpy Skin Disease and stressed the need for private sector investment, laboratory accreditation, and productivity enhancement.

Key dignitaries, including Shekhar Mundada, Chairman of Go-Seva Commission, and several parliamentarians and council members, also attended. The conclave featured two technical sessions: “Catalyzing Growth in Livestock Sector: Entrepreneurship, Processing, and Opportunities” and “Role of Banks and MSMEs in Livestock Sector & Credit Facilitation,” where experts discussed investment and entrepreneurship opportunities.