Government announces Rs 15,000 crore Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund

Union Animal Husbandry Fisheries and Dairy Minister Giriraj Singh hailed the decision taken by the government of approving Rs 15,000 crore Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF). He said the government's decision will help in increasing milk production, boost exports and create 35 lakh jobs in the country.

New Delhi: The government on Wednesday announced a Rs 15,000 crore infrastructure development fund with an interest subsidy scheme to promote investment by private players and MSMEs in dairy, meat processing and animal feed plants.

Speaking to ETV Bharat, Union Animal Husbandry Fisheries and Dairy Minister Giriraj Singh said that the government's decision will help in increasing milk production, boost exports and create 35 lakh jobs in the country.

"For the first time, we will give interest subvention up to 3 per cent to private players for setting up of processing infrastructure for dairy, poultry and meat," Singh added.

An interest subvention of 3-4 per cent will be provided to farmer producer organisations, MSMEs and private players for setting up of dairy, meat processing and animal feed plants, an official release said.

The Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) was approved in the Cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Highlighting the benefits of the new infra fund, the government said there is huge potential waiting to be unlocked through private sector investment in the animal husbandry sector.