Context:

In pursuance of recently announced Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan stimulus package for ensuring growth in several sectors, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved setting up of Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) worth Rs. 15000 crore.

About:

• AHIDF would facilitate much needed incentivisation of investments in establishment of such infrastructure for dairy and meat processing and value addition infrastructure and establishment of animal feed plant in the private sector.
• Eligibility: The eligible benefi ciaries under the Scheme would be
  • Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs).
  • MSMEs
  • Section 8 Companies
  • Private Companies and individual entrepreneur with minimum 10% margin money contribution by them. The balance 90% would be the loan component to be made available by scheduled banks.
• Government of India will provide 3% interest subvention to eligible benefi ciaries. There will be 2 years moratorium period for principal loan amount and 6 years repayment period thereafter.

Dairy Infrastructure Development Fund (DIDF)

• Government had earlier approved the Dairy Infrastructure Development Fund (DIDF) worth Rs. 10,000 crores.
• It aims to incentivize investment by cooperative sector for development of dairy infrastructure.