National Livestock Mission — Animal Husbandry Subsidy

What is the National Livestock Mission (NLM)?

The National Livestock Mission (NLM) is a Government of India scheme to promote entrepreneurship and livelihood development in the animal husbandry sector. It provides 50% subsidy (up to ₹50 lakh per project) for setting up poultry units, goat/sheep farms, piggeries, fodder production, and feed processing units.

NLM is implemented by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) through banks and state animal husbandry departments.

Key Benefits

Subsidy is credit-linked and back-ended — you first take a bank loan, implement the project, then the subsidy is credited.

Who is Eligible?

You ARE eligible if:

• You are an individual entrepreneur, SHG, JLG, FPO or cooperative
• You have land available for the proposed livestock/fodder unit
• You can arrange a bank loan (minimum 50% of project cost from bank)
• You are 18+ years of age

Priority groups:

• SC/ST farmers
• Women entrepreneurs
• Progressive farmers with existing animal husbandry experience

You are NOT eligible if:

• You are a government employee
• You already availed a subsidy for the same unit under another scheme in the same year

Documents Required

1. Aadhaar Card — individual or firm representative
2. Land documents — ownership or lease deed
3. Bank loan sanction letter — from scheduled commercial bank, cooperative bank, or RRB
4. Detailed Project Report (DPR) — describing the livestock unit, costs, and projections
5. Caste certificate (for SC/ST priority)
6. Partnership deed / firm registration (for firms)
7. Photograph

How to Apply — Step by Step

NLM applications go through banks. The process is:

Step 1 — Prepare a Project Report

Prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) specifying:

• Type of livestock unit (broiler poultry / layer / goat farm / piggery)
• Number of animals / birds
• Infrastructure required (shed, equipment)
• Total project cost
• Loan amount and margin money you can contribute

Step 2 — Apply on NLM Portal

Register and submit at: nlm.udyamimitra.in

Alternatively, submit directly to:

• Your District Animal Husbandry Officer, OR
• Your bank (many banks accept directly)

Step 3 — Bank Sanction

The bank evaluates your DPR, verifies land documents, and sanctions the loan (50% of project cost). You contribute the remaining 50% as margin money — and the subsidy covers the margin money.

Step 4 — Implementation

Set up the unit — purchase animals, construct sheds, install equipment.

Step 5 — Inspection and Subsidy Release

After inspection by the District Animal Husbandry Officer and bank officials:

• Subsidy (50%) is deposited into a TDR (Term Deposit Receipt) in your bank for 3 years
• After 3 years of successful operation, the TDR is converted to your account

NLM Portal — Online Application

Primary portal: nlm.udyamimitra.in

Steps on the portal:

1. Register with your mobile number and Aadhaar
2. Select the NLM sub-mission and component
3. Upload DPR and documents
4. Choose preferred bank for loan processing
5. Track application status after submission

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How much money do I need to start? I don't have funds.

NLM is designed so that the subsidy replaces your margin money. You do not need to put in your own money upfront — the bank funds the project and the subsidy covers 50% of the cost. However, you will need to service the remaining 50% as a loan.

2. Can a woman SHG apply for goat farming subsidy?

Yes. Women's Self-Help Groups (SHGs) are a priority beneficiary category. The SHG can apply as a group and receive the 50% subsidy on a collective goat farming unit.

3. What is the minimum scale for a NLM poultry unit?

Typical minimum: 5,000 broiler birds per batch (layer farms typically start at 1,000 birds). Smaller backyard poultry is covered under separate state schemes.

4. I already have a small goat farm. Can I expand under NLM?

Yes, you can apply for expansion/modernisation of existing units, as long as the total project cost is at least the minimum threshold for the component.

5. How long does it take to get the subsidy after application?

Typically 3–6 months from loan sanction to inspection to subsidy TDR creation. The full subsidy becomes accessible after 3 years (from TDR).

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