The “Scheme for Subsidy on Interest for Establishment of 1 to 20 Milch Animal Farm for Scheduled Tribe” was launched by the Department of Agriculture, Farmers Welfare & Co-operation, Government of Gujarat. This scheme enables small and poor farmers from the Scheduled Tribe category in Gujarat to purchase between 1 to 20 dairy animals (cows or buffaloes) based on their need and capacity to maintain. Beneficiaries who obtain a bank loan for establishing the unit in the current financial year 2023-24 from a nationalized bank or an RBI-approved financial institution can receive an interest subsidy at 12% on the loan amount for a period of five years. Additionally, the scheme supports improved crop fertility and yield through the provision of high-quality organic manure, while also promoting the conversion of agricultural by-products into value-added products such as milk and meat.
Benefits
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Animal Purchase:
Beneficiaries can purchase 1 to 20 milch animals at subsidized rates, tailored to their maintenance capacity. -
Interest Subsidy:
An interest subsidy at 12% is provided on the bank loan amount for a period of 5 years.Note: The interest subsidy is calculated as the lower of 12% on the unit cost of the animal or on the loan per unit advanced by the bank.
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Direct Benefit Transfer:
The subsidized interest amount is directly credited to the beneficiary’s loan account via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) in installments, with no cash assistance provided.
Eligibility
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Residency:
The applicant must be a permanent resident of Gujarat. -
Category:
Only farmers belonging to the Scheduled Tribe category are eligible. -
Farmer Profile:
The scheme targets small and poor farmers of Gujarat. -
Loan Requirement:
The applicant must secure a loan for establishing the milch animal unit in the current financial year 2023-24 from a nationalized bank or an RBI-approved financial institution. -
Land Ownership:
The land used for the farm should be owned by a family member or a beneficiary of the scheme. -
Certification:
The establishment of the livestock unit must be certified by the Animal Husbandry Authority.
Application Process
Online Application Procedure
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Visit the I-Khedut Portal:
Access the online application at the I-Khedut Portal. -
Submit New Application:
Click on the “Apply New” button to start a new application. -
Update Application:
Use the “Update Application” button to correct or add any details. -
Upload Documents:
Click on the “Upload Document” button to attach all relevant supporting documents. -
Confirm Application:
Once the application is complete, confirm it within seven days from the date of saving the online application.-
The application must be signed (via signature or fingerprint) and then either submitted to the office address mentioned on the application or uploaded as a scanned copy.
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Print Application:
Take a printout of the confirmed application for future reference.
Notes:
The online application is accepted only if all correct and sufficient documents are uploaded along with the beneficiary’s signed/fingerprinted application.
Incomplete or wrong document uploads will result in the application not being processed; the beneficiary must submit corrected documents to the concerned office within seven days.
Scanned copies in PDF format should not exceed 200 KB in size.
Documents Required
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Government-approved photo ID (e.g., Aadhaar Card, Voter ID Card).
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Proof of land ownership (if applicable).
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Caste Certificate issued by the competent authority.
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Disability Certificate from a Competent Authority (for PWDs, if applicable).
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Ration Card (if applicable).
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Bank account details.
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Beneficiary’s Undertaking/Consent Form.
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Loan account passbook or bank disbursement certificate.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the objective of the scheme?
The scheme aims to assist Scheduled Tribe farmers in establishing a milch animal farm by providing an interest subsidy on bank loans for purchasing dairy animals, thereby promoting livestock rearing and improving farm productivity. -
Which department has launched this scheme?
The scheme is launched by the Department of Agriculture, Farmers Welfare & Co-operation, Government of Gujarat. -
Who is eligible to get the benefits of the scheme?
Only permanent residents of Gujarat belonging to the Scheduled Tribe category, specifically small and poor farmers, are eligible. -
What is the condition for availing the benefits under the scheme?
Beneficiaries must secure a loan for setting up the milch animal unit in the current financial year 2023-24 from a nationalized bank or an RBI-approved financial institution. -
What is the benefit of the scheme?
The scheme offers an interest subsidy at 12% on the bank loan amount for five years, easing the financial burden of establishing a dairy animal farm. -
How will the interest be calculated?
The interest is calculated as 12% of the unit cost of the animal or on the loan per unit advanced by the bank, whichever is lower. -
How can a beneficiary apply under the scheme?
Applications must be submitted online via the I-Khedut Portal following the outlined application process. -
In how many days should the beneficiary confirm the online application?
The beneficiary must confirm the online application within seven days from the date of saving the application. -
Is it mandatory to submit the application to the concerned office or upload it on the I-Khedut Portal?
After confirming the application online, the beneficiary must either submit a signed printout to the office or upload the scanned copy of the signed application and supporting documents online. -
What should I do if wrong/incomplete documents have been uploaded on the portal?
In such cases, the beneficiary must submit the remaining or corrected documents to the concerned office within seven days.