Uttar Pradesh turns to cattle to beef up rural incomes; ₹40,000 subsidy on offer per animal

The government will also pay 85% of the livestock insurance premium, leaving owners to bear the remaining 15%.The mission seeks to generate employment, encourage livestock-based businesses, raise productivity and improve market access for milk, wool and other animal products. Singh said the initiative was intended to supplement agricultural earnings with income from animal husbandry.Live EventsFarmers purchasing eligible indigenous breeds, including Sahiwal, Gir, Hariana, Tharparkar and Gangatiri, will qualify for the subsidy.

Those buying two cows will receive Rs 80,000 in assistance. The scheme also allows farmers to purchase the specified breeds from other states and avail themselves of the subsidy. While livestock owners will contribute 15% of the premium, the state government will cover the balance 85%, Singh said.The mission will extend beyond cattle rearing to promote goat farming, poultry, piggery and sheep rearing.

It will also focus on improving cattle breeds through artificial insemination and other interventions aimed at enhancing productivity.Singh said Uttar Pradesh already occupies a leading position nationally in livestock rearing and milk production, besides being a major producer of eggs, wool and meat. However, the sector continues to face challenges such as low productivity, fragmented marketing arrangements, limited value addition, inadequate traceability and weak digital management.The State Livestock Mission is intended to address these gaps while creating better opportunities for farmers to sell their products.

The minister said higher farm incomes would require livestock-based activities to complement crop cultivation rather than depend on agriculture alone.The initiative follows the Centre's National Livestock Mission, with the Uttar Pradesh government introducing its own programme to expand support for the sector.Singh also cited existing assistance for poultry farming, under which beneficiaries receive 100 chicks free of cost to help them start small-scale poultry-rearing activities and earn additional income.Improving milk yields from indigenous cattle is another priority under the mission.

Singh identified Sahiwal, Gir, Hariana and Gangatiri among the breeds being promoted for higher milk production.Khanna said the Cabinet had approved all 22 proposals presented at Tuesday's meeting. Singh and Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Stamp and Court Fee and Registration Ravindra Jaiswal had each moved one proposal.Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Transport Dayashankar Singh was also present at the briefing.(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)