NLM to focus on breed improvement in livestock

National Livestock Mission (NLM) proposes to bring a sharp focus on entrepreneurship development and breed improvement in rural poultry, sheep, goat and piggery including feed and fodder development. The Rural Poultry Entrepreneurship component will give direct employment to 1.5 lakh farmers and 2 lakh farmers will be directly benefited from sheep goats and poultry development. About 7.25 lakh high yielding animals will be covered under risk management benefitting 3.5 lakh farmers. Fodder and fodder seed availability in the country will be increased by many folds through the creation of fodder entrepreneurs. The Livestock Census & Integrated Sample Survey component will support states for undertaking the Livestock Census and for bringing out production estimates of milk, meat, egg and wool which is crucial for formulating strategies for the holistic development of the livestock sector. The dairy cooperatives and farmer producer organisations engaged in dairy activities will be provided with 4 per cent interest subvention for meeting their working capital requirements.