The Indian government has introduced several policies and initiatives to support the growth of sheep and goat farming, recognizing its vital role in enhancing rural livelihoods, ensuring food security, and boosting the agricultural economy. Sheep and goat farming, often referred to as the “poor man’s cow”, provides a steady source of income to small and marginal farmers, landless laborers, and tribal communities due to its low input costs, quick returns, and adaptability to arid and semi-arid regions.
One of the significant programs driving this growth is the National Livestock Mission (NLM), which offers financial assistance, infrastructure support, and breed improvement programs for sheep and goat farming. Under the NLM, farmers and entrepreneurs receive subsidies of up to 50% to 60% for establishing modern goat and sheep farms, improving housing infrastructure, and adopting scientific farming practices. The mission also focuses on promoting disease prevention through vaccination drives and healthcare support to reduce mortality rates and improve productivity.
To address the challenge of breed quality, the government is promoting genetic upgradation through the introduction of superior sheep and goat breeds and cross-breeding programs. Initiatives like the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) and the Rashtriya Gokul Mission are helping improve breeding infrastructure, ensuring farmers have access to healthy and high-yielding livestock.
The government has also encouraged the establishment of fodder banks and feed development programs to address feed scarcity, a critical factor impacting sheep and goat productivity. Schemes providing subsidies for cultivating high-quality green fodder and silage are supporting year-round nutrition, particularly in drought-prone areas.
Additionally, animal healthcare programs like the National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP) ensure the prevention of major diseases such as Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), and enterotoxemia through vaccination drives and awareness campaigns. Mobile veterinary units and telemedicine services are also being deployed to provide farmers with easy access to animal healthcare in remote regions.
To boost market access and profitability, the government is investing in value chain development and infrastructure, including meat processing units, cold storage facilities, and modern slaughterhouses. Financial assistance is also provided under the Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) to encourage private sector participation in processing and exporting value-added sheep and goat products such as meat, milk, and wool.
These comprehensive policies are driving the growth of sheep and goat farming in India, empowering rural farmers, ensuring income diversification, and creating employment opportunities. By promoting scientific management practices, healthcare support, and infrastructure development, the government is transforming sheep and goat farming into a sustainable and profitable sector, contributing significantly to the rural economy and the nation’s food security goals.
