June 13, 2010  

  Six months is indeed a small period for any developmental scheme to take off in a hilly State like Himachal Pradesh. But the manner in which Rs. 300 crore  Doodh Ganga Yojna in the State has got the response of the people speaks volumes about this ambitious scheme being executed through NABARD by the State Government. This scheme was launched  in the month of January this year and within the first five months indicates that as many as 1123 cases including those of Self Help Groups and even of individuals were approved and they have availed loans to the tune of Rs. 22.96 crore till March, 2010 with an interest free loans of Rs. 11.48 crore.

During the current financial year till 31st May, 2010 as many as 732 cases have been sanctioned under Doodh Ganga Yojna and loans to the tune of Rs. 13.39 crore had been advanced to the beneficiaries out of which interest free loans is Rs. 6.64 crore. For the year 2010-11, an ambitious target has been set under the Scheme for financing more than 3500 cases. Each case comprises of one beneficiary and even Self Help Group comprising 10 members forms a case. During the current financial year,  the ground level credit flow of Rs. 100 crore will be given to all the Self Help Groups with interest free loans of Rs, 50 crore. The ambitious project dairy development in Himachal Pradesh is bound to usher in a silent revolution in view of the amazing level of motivation among the women Self Help Group and the deep sense of commitment of NABARD towards economic upliftment of those engaged in the dairy farming.

If we have a look at the commercial aspect of dairy farming, in the past it had been impeded by factors such as lack of adequate fodder & feed sources, awareness about scientific animal management, non-availability of quality milch animals coupled by many other reasons. Majority of the milk production in the State comes from the small farmers. The problems of fodder, feed and health care has been a major hindrance for the growth of dairy farming in the State.

In order to supplement the income of the farmers through organized dairy development, NABARD in association with Government of Himachal Pradesh launched "Doodh Ganga Yojna" last year on a pilot basis in the districts of Mandi, Solan and Sirmour. However, the project was soon extended to the rest of the districts. The project envisages covering 10,000 Self Help Groups over a period of three years by financing the purchase of good quality milch animals under the Venture Capture Support Scheme of Govt. of India.

Under the project, Self Help Groups are being provided loans for setting up dairy units of 10 animals with a total cost of Rs. 3 lakh. While the entrepreneur will be required to spend 10 % margin money, the 50% loan of the project is interest free. If the entrepreneur ensures a regular repayment of loan, 50% subsidy shall be provided on the total interest payable on the net loan component. NABARD has also been extending support for the collection, preservation and processing of the milk and later on setting up Rural Marketing for the milk products. With the successful execution of "Doodh Ganga Yojna", dairy development milk production in the State is expected to get a quantum leap of 350 lakh litter per annum assessing an average yield of 5 liters per day per animal for 200 days in a year. This will extend the income to the poorest of the poor in the State.

As regards the involvement of the Self Help Groups, women folk in rural areas seem to be quite motivated and sensitized about this unique project. So far, as many as, 5175 active women Self Help Groups have been formed and they are seeking loans from different Banks. At district level, a monitoring committee under the Chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner is working as a nodal agency for the implementation of this project. The Department of Animal Husbandry has been providing assistance to the beneficiaries for purchasing suitable breeds of milch cattle from within and outside the State. For the procurement of the fodder, weaker sections like Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes are being provided 50% subsidy on the fodder seeds.

NABARD in association with Animal Husbandry Department, Milkfed and Banks etc. is regularly holding awareness camps for the farmers and women Self Help Groups at block-level. Till date NABARD has organized 35 awareness camps in equal number of Blocks. The infrastructural gap like availability of fodder and milch cattle are being removed by ensuring effective coordination among the different State Government departments and NABARD as well. The District of Kangra is leading in the implementation of the Doodh Ganga Project since the availability of milch cattle and fodder is easy. However, the project is picking up fast in other districts as well.