MP Govt : To double farmers’ income and make them self-reliant, MP Govt is actively promoting animal husbandry. Through various schemes, the state is encouraging cattle rearing and milk production.
MP Govt: It is the pledge of Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav to make Madhya Pradesh the ‘Milk Capital of India’ by 2028 with sustained growth in milk production. Cow protection and promotion remain among the top priorities of the government.
The Department of Animal Husbandry has been renamed as the Department of Cow Rearing. Madhya Pradesh currently contributes 9% of the country’s total milk production and the government aims to raise this share to 20%. To improve cattle feed supply, the monthly financial assistance has been increased from ₹20 to ₹40 per animal. To achieve the vision of ‘Har Ghar Gokul’, 946 new dairy cooperative societies have been formed across the state. Under the ‘Vrindavan Gram Yojana’, one model self-reliant dairy village is being developed in each district to strengthen rural livelihood through milk production.
The state’s Sanchi brand, operated by the Madhya Pradesh State Cooperative Dairy Federation, is being popularised with support of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB). The NDDB is assisting the state with expertise in branding, veterinary training, infrastructure and cattle care. The dairy network will expand to 26,000 villages, ensuring the collection of 52 lakh kg of milk daily by 2030. To handle the increased supply, modern processing infrastructure will be developed and state-produced milk products will receive national-level branding.
Several new schemes have been launched to boost animal husbandry and dairy development. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Kamdhenu Yojana’s beneficiaries will receive a unit of 25 high-yielding animals (cows, crossbred cows or buffaloes) worth ₹36–42 lakh. Subsidy provisions include 33% for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and 25% for other categories. For the first time, the government will also purchase cow’s milk along with buffalo’s milk, with revised purchase prices for cow milk. The Self-Reliant Cow Shelter Policy 2025 has also been implemented to establish large shelters of over 5,000 cattle in Gwalior, Ujjain, Indore, Bhopal and Jabalpur.
Madhya Pradesh has emerged as a leading state in cow protection and promotion. Key initiatives such as the Mukhyamantri Doodharu Pashu Yojana, Kamdhenu Niwas Yojana, Mukhyamantri Dairy Plus Programme, Breed Improvement Programmes and central government schemes are being implemented effectively in the state.
Work on establishing self-reliant cow shelters is progressing rapidly. So far, 28 sites have been identified and land has been allotted to eight voluntary Organizations. The scheme provides up to 130 acres of land for shelters managing 5,000 or more cattle. Under the Fodder Subsidy Scheme, ₹133.35 crore has been disbursed to various shelters in this financial year, while ₹270.40 crore was provided last year.
Currently, 2,942 cow shelters are registered with the Cow Protection Board, of which 2,828 are operational, providing care for over 4.22 lakh cattle. In the past year, 623 new shelters were registered, including 596 established under MGNREGA and 27 run by voluntary Organizations.
For the most backwards Baiga, Sahariya and Bharia tribal communities, the ‘Mukhyamantri Dudharoo Pashu Yojana’ is being implemented in 14 districts. Under this, each beneficiary receives two Murrah buffaloes or cows at a 90% subsidy. Last year, 639 beneficiaries were supported against the target of 660, while current year the target is to benefit 483 beneficiaries. The Mukhyamantri Dairy Plus Program is currently being run as a pilot project in Sehore, Vidisha and Raisen districts.
Under the Central Government’s Rashtriya Gokul Mission, Madhya Pradesh has received ₹12.15 crore to establish 1,500 “Maitri” (Artificial Insemination workers) to improve cattle breeds. Continuous efforts are being made to enhance cattle breeds through artificial insemination across the state