The Uttar Pradesh government has decided to roll out a new initiative to strengthen rural economies by combining cow protection with livelihood opportunities, an official said on Sunday.
Under the scheme, Mukhyamantri Sahbhagita Yojana, farmers can maintain one to four cows, construct cattle sheds through MGNREGA, and install small biogas units to promote clean energy and sustainable income sources, the official added.
Anurag Srivastava, the OSD of the Uttar Pradesh Gau Seva Commission, confirmed that the blueprint of the scheme, designed to boost self-reliance in villages, was complete and would be launched shortly.
“The scheme will encourage organic farming, bio-fertilizer production, and clean energy use. It also aims to generate stable employment, particularly for women’s self-help groups and rural youth, who will be key participants in the project,” a statement issued by the government read.
The government said the Mukhyamantri Sahbhagita Yojana “presents a holistic approach to rural development, encompassing cow conservation, organic agriculture, renewable energy, and community empowerment by blending traditional cattle-rearing with modern technology. “The initiative is expected to foster greener, economically stronger villages across the state,” it added.
On Saturday, the state government said UP was the frontrunner in cow protection and livestock development in the country, accounting for 16 per cent of India’s cattle population.
Citing the 20th Livestock Census (2019), the government claimed that the state is home to 1.90 crore cattle, including 11.84 lakh stray cattle, and added that after Yogi Adityanath became CM in 2017, cow protection became a top priority in the state.
Story continues below this ad
According to the government, while livestock contributes 4.11 per cent to India’s GDP overall, UP contributes a much higher, 7.1 per cent. The state also produces 390 lakh metric tonnes of milk every year, strengthening the rural economy. Under the Chief Minister’s Indigenous Cow Promotion Scheme and the Nandini Krishak Samriddhi Yojana, native breeds like Sahiwal, Gir, and Tharparkar are being promoted. Through schemes like the Nandini Krishak Samriddhi Yojana, the government is helping set up units with 25 milch cows, with 50% of the beneficiaries being women. Under the Fodder Policy 2024, Napier grass is being grown on 230 hectares of land, aiming to produce 1.73 lakh quintals of green fodder.
