This initiative will provide dual benefits to farmers by ensuring nutritious milk for their families and improving soil fertility through organic inputs. Over time, these efforts will enable cow shelters to become self-reliant. With over 7,700 cow shelters housing 12.5 lakh stray cattle, the state has also implemented the Mukhyamantri Sahbhagita Yojana, benefiting 1 lakh farmers by providing 1.62 lakh stray cattle along with a monthly aid of Rs 1,500 per animal for upkeep, officials of the department said.In its latest budget, the government has allocated Rs 2,000 crore for stray cattle protection, supplementing the Rs 1,001 crore provided earlier. Around 543 new cow shelters have been approved, with increased funding of Rs 1.60 crore per large shelter.The state government is continuously encouraging livestock farmers to rear cattle.To support cattle farming, the government is promoting indigenous breeds under the Nandini Krishak Samriddhi Yojana, offering a 50 per cent subsidy on bank loans.The Amrit Dhara Yojana provides subsidised loans up to Rs 10 lakh, with loans under Rs 3 lakh requiring no guarantor.Aligning with the country’s push toward organic farming, Uttar Pradesh is encouraging farmers to adopt chemical-free agriculture using cow-based organic inputs, officials said.These initiatives are particularly focused on villages along the Ganga River and the Bundelkhand region, integrating local water resources into sustainable farming models, they said.The Covid pandemic has increased global awareness about health, leading to a rising demand for organic and naturally grown products.This shift in food behaviour is not only local but also global, creating new opportunities for farmers in Uttar Pradesh, the officials said.
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