Asem Mohiuddin
In 2021, the Jammu Kashmir administration simplified the rules for setting up dairy farming units in Jammu and Kashmir. As per the fresh guidelines, anyone from Union Territory can set up a dairy farm and can avail the benefits under the newly framed scheme with simplified rules. The aim of re-launching the scheme was to imbibe the youth to enhance employment opportunities in Union Territory due to growing unemployment among youth.
As per the fresh survey, Jammu and Kashmir has nearly 23 per cent unemployment rate-highest in the country. On the other side, there was a considerable deficiency of milk production. The government aimed not only to create employment avenues via the scheme but to ensure the milk is locally produced to meet the rising demand.
The scheme attracted a massive response from the local youth. Hundreds of local youth set up the dairy farm units which have given rise to the produce and the government officials say that by 2023, Jammu Kashmir will have 30 per cent surplus milk produce.
Now the point is what are the fresh guidelines and how a person can apply for it.
Let’s discuss it point by point.
Any candidate who desires to set up a dairy unit must have some points in consideration.
For a single unit of dairy farm comprising five cows or five Buffalo needs at least one kanal land duly connected with road. The macdamziation of road is not necessary but the entrepreneur shall face no difficulties in transporting the material to and from the place throughout the year. It shall also have water and electricity facilities.
Once the candidate has all these requirements in place, he needs to approach the local veterinary office and discuss the plan with the concerned official. He will be providing him a set of forms to fill up along with the ID proof. The candidate also needs to submit the site and business plan. The concerned official will help the candidate to formulate the business plan.
Subsequently, the concerned veterinary officer will be submitting the file of candidates to the district veterinary office and the district office will recommend the file to the Directorate office Srinagar after ruling out any technical issues in the case.
The board of members will approve the cases on merit basis from across the division subject to the availability of funds.
As per the guidelines, it shall not take more than 45 days for the approval of the case. Once the case is approved, the candidate is directed to raise the infrastructure within 3 months to set up the dairy farm as per the approved plan. However, it is necessary to consult the expert or the concerned doctors before constructing the cowshed. It requires employing scientific technology in order to make your venture beneficial. No outdated experience can make your business grow.
Now what will the candidate have to do?
In the first place after raising the infrastructure that includes the cow shed and its allied requirements, the candidate has to buy the cows or buffalo form the registered dealer in Kashmir or outside. If the candidate is buying cows from the local market, he needs to show the certificate of the registered dealer to the government for the subsidy. In case he or she buys the cows from outside states like Haryana and Punjab he requires producing the challan of Lakhanpur toll post.
If a candidate has an approved case of single unit dairy farm, he shall buy 5 cows or buffalo and any candidate can avail the subsidy benefits upto fifty cows or 10 units. In case the candidate is a woman, she is entitled to get fifty per cent subsidy contrary to men who can avail only 35 per cent subsidy on each cow.
To mention here, the ceiling of subsidy is 1.75 lakh for men and 2 lakh for women on each cow or buffalo. The government is encouraging the entrepreneurs to buy high milk yielding cows like HF and jersey.
The rules suggest that once the bills are submitted by the candidate, the subsidy shall be reimbursed into this account within fifteen working days. But personally speaking, it takes a long time since the government sometimes has the problem of funds availability. Some people even receive subsidies after six months.
Any equipment the candidate wants to purchase to run the dairy farm on scientific lines will be given fifty per cent subsidy including grass chopping machine, milk van, bulk milk cooler, cheese maker etc.
Before setting up the unit, a few things a candidate needs to keep in mind. The location has to be viable and close to the market. Given the rising competition in the field and soaring rates of fodder you can’t afford to spend huge money on transporting your milk and selling it in far away markets. However, if you produce around 1000 liters a day, you can compensate for the extra losses in fuel that you spend to reach the far away markets.
There are also some financial schemes for all those candidates who can’t afford to invest in the unit.
The Srinagar city is witnessing an upsurge in the attacks on women. Police have also acknowledged that incidents of crime have increased which is an alarming sign.
