SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir has received approval for 27 animal husbandry-based entrepreneurship projects under the National Livestock Mission (NLM), with a total project cost of Rs 12.23 crore and an approved subsidy of Rs 4.80 crore, the Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday.
According to data presented by the Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, the projects approved in Jammu and Kashmir are expected to generate 87 jobs and benefit around 194 farmers.
The figures were provided in response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2621 on animal husbandry-based entrepreneurship. The data showed that the projects in J&K include one feed and fodder unit, one poultry project and 25 small-ruminant projects.
Across the country, 4,291 projects have been sanctioned under the Entrepreneurship Development Programme (NLM-EDP), involving a total project cost of Rs 2,956.79 crore and an approved subsidy of Rs 1,356.53 crore. These projects are expected to generate around 21,000 direct jobs and indirectly benefit around 91,000 farmers.
Under the NLM-EDP, eligible beneficiaries are provided capital subsidy of 50 per cent, up to Rs 50 lakh, for establishing livestock breeding farms and feed and fodder units, among other eligible activities.
The Ministry said the implementation of the programme is regularly reviewed through Project Approval Committee meetings, which monitor pending applications, approvals by States and Union Territories and provide technical assistance. Regional review meetings are also held to assess project implementation.
To address difficulties related to bank loans and early approval of applications, the Central Level Bankers Committee has been established in the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying to coordinate with lending institutions.
The NITI Aayog has also conducted a detailed review of the NLM, including its entrepreneurship development component, and found that the scheme has contributed to breed development, feed and fodder security, capacity building and promotion of entrepreneurship.
The Ministry further said the NLM is being implemented through an end-to-end digitised portal, while subsidies are transferred to beneficiaries’ bank accounts through the Public Financial Management System (PFMS).
