Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries has been implementing several schemes for improvement and development of livestock in the country. Some of them are as follows.

National Project for Cattle and Buffalo Breeding (NPCBB)

It was initiated by Government of India from October 2000 for a period of ten years, in two phases each of five years duration, with an allocation of Rs 402 crore for the 1st phase and Rs775.87 crore for 2nd Phase. It envisages genetic up gradation and development of indigenous breeds on priority basis.

The objectives of the scheme are to:

• Arrange delivery of vastly improved artificial insemination service at the farmers doorstep;
• Progressively bring under organized breeding through artificial insemination or natural service by high quality bulls, all breedable females among cattle and buffalo within a period of 10 years;
• Undertake breed improvement programme for indigenous cattle and buffalo breeds so as to improve their genetic qualities as well as their availability.

Components of the scheme are:

• streamlining storage and supply of Liquid Nitrogen by sourcing supply from industrial gas manufacturers and setting up bulk transport and storage systems for the same;
• introduction of quality bulls with high genetic merit;
• promotion of private mobile A.I. service for doorstep delivery of A.I.;
• conversion of existing stationery government centres into mobiles centres;
• quality control and certification of bulls and services at sperm stations, semen banks and training institutions;
• study of breeding systems in areas out of reach of A.I.; ;
• refresher training to existing AI workers, basic training to rural unemployed youth, training to professionals and organization of farmers orientation programmes; and
• institutional restructuring by way of entrusting the job of managing production and supply of genetic inputs as well as Liquid Nitrogen to a specialized autonomous and professional State Implementing Agency.

Livestock Insurance Scheme

It is a 100% centrally sponsored scheme, implemented on a pilot basis during the years 2005-06 and 2006-07 of the 10 th Five Year Plan and 2007-08 of the Eleventh Plan in 100 selected districts across the country. Under the Scheme, crossbred and high yielding cattle and buffaloes were insured at maximum of their current market value. The premium of the insurance was subsidized to the tune of 50% by the Central Government. Rest 50% of the premium was borne by the beneficiaries.

The scheme has been formulated with the twin objectives of providing protection mechanism to the farmers and cattle rearers against any eventual loss of their animals due to death and to demonstrate the benefit of the insurance of livestock to the people and popularise it with the ultimate goal of attaining qualitative improvement in livestock and their products.

The scheme was implemented in all the States, except Goa, through the State Livestock Development Boards of the respective States. Target Group or the beneficiaries include farmers (large/small/marginal) and cattle rearers having the crossbred and high yielding cattle and buffaloes.

Intensive Dairy Development Programme (IDDP)

The scheme 'Integrated Dairy availability of milk. Milk production and Development Project (IDDP) in Non-Operation Flood, Hilly and Backward Areas' was launched in 1993-94 on 100% grant-in-aid basis. The main objectives of the scheme were as under:

• Development of milch cattle;
  Increasing milk production by providing technical input services;
• Procurement, processing and marketing of milk in a cost effective manner;
  Ensure remunerative prices to the milk producers;
  Generate additional employment opportunities;
  Improve social, nutritional and economic status of residents of comparatively more
  disadvantaged areas.

The scheme was modified during March, 2005. The modified scheme has been named as 'Intensive Dairy Development Programme' (IDDP) and is being implemented in hilly and backward areas and also in districts, which received less than Rs. 50.00 lakh for dairy development activities under Operation Flood programme.

The funds under the revised scheme are released directly to the Implementing agencies (State Milk federations/ Unions) and the projects are implemented by the State Milk federations/ Unions in view of their expertise and professionalism.

Since inception of the scheme, 84 projects have been approved in 206 districts of 25 States and a UT with a total outlay of Rs. 480.05 crore till 31.12.2007. These projects have benefited about 14.97 lakh farmers in 24,520 villages procuring over 17.65 lakh litres of milk per day till 31.12.2007. During 2007-08, two new projects in Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu have also been approved. An amount of Rs. 25.63 have been released during the current year (till 31st December, 2007).

Strengthening Infrastructure for Quality & Clean Milk Production

The Department introduced a new centrally sponsored scheme viz.'Strengthening Infrastructure for Quality & Clean Milk Production' during the 10th Plan with an outlay of Rs. 30.00 crores. The scheme, started in October, 2003, has the main objective of improving the quality of raw milk produced at the village level in the country. Under the scheme, there is a provision for training of farmers on good milking practices. The scheme is being implemented on 100% grant in aid basis to the State Governments/Union Territories for components viz. training of farmer members, detergents, stainless utensils, strengthening of existing laboratory facilities, etc. The pattern of funding for setting up of milk chilling facilities at the village level in the form of bulk milk coolers is in the ratio of 75:25 between Government of India and respective cooperative society/union. The scheme was merged with IDDP during 2005-06.

Assistance to Cooperatives

The central sector scheme 'Assistance to Cooperatives', started during 1999-2000, aims at revitalizing the sick dairy cooperative unions at the district level and cooperative federations at the state level. The rehabilitation Plan is prepared by NDDB in consultation with the concerned State Milk Federation/District Milk Union. Each rehabilitation plan is to be implemented within a period of seven years from the date of its approval.

The scheme is being implemented on 50:50 sharing basis between Government of India and the concerned State Governments. Since inception, the Department has approved 32 rehabilitation proposals of milk unions so far in Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Haryana, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra, Assam, Nagaland, Punjab, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu at a total cost of Rs 197.37 crore and with a central share of of Rs. 98.68 crore till 31st December, 2007.

Dairy/Poultry Venture Capital Fund

A new central sector scheme viz. Dairy/Poultry Venture Capital Fund was initiated during the 10th Five Year Plan with an outlay of Rs 25.00 crore. It involves measures like milk processing at village level, marketing of pasteurised milk in a cost effective manner, quality up-gradation and up-gradation of traditional technology to handle commercial scale using modern equipment and management skills and to encourage new species of birds and low input technology for poultry farming among rural farmers.

Under this scheme, assistance is provided to the rural/urban beneficiaries under a schematic proposal through bankable projects. Eligible beneficiaries, under the schemes include agricultural farmers/individual entrepreneurs and groups of all sections of unorganised as well as organized sector including cooperatives and NGOs, from any part of the country. The scheme is being implemented through NABARD.