Establishment of Broiler Farms

The Department of Animal Husbandry, Government of Uttarakhand, has introduced the "Establishment of Broiler Farms" scheme to support commercial broiler rearing across the state. The initiative is directed at individuals, with particular emphasis on women and Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and provides financial assistance to reduce the upfront costs of starting a poultry operation. Its objective is to encourage entrepreneurship and create steady income streams for beneficiaries.

Subsidies are available for both bird rearing and the construction of essential farm infrastructure. The scheme is intended to improve livelihoods, support local food availability, and create jobs within the agricultural sector. By lowering entry barriers, it seeks to strengthen the commercial prospects of broiler farming and improve the economic standing of marginalised communities in Uttarakhand, offering them a route to financial self-reliance.

The application process is structured as follows:

• Identification and Initial Application: Applicants are required to contact their local Veterinary Officer or Livestock Extension Officer. These officials are tasked with identifying eligible beneficiaries in their area and distributing the initial application forms.
• Document Submission: The application form must be filled out accurately and submitted with the necessary supporting documents. These generally comprise an Aadhaar card copy for identity confirmation, bank account details (passbook or statement) for subsidy transfer, and land records (ownership documents or lease agreements) to demonstrate access to suitable land for the farm.
• Project Report Preparation: The assigned Veterinary Officer aids the applicant in developing a detailed project report. This document covers the feasibility and financial projections of the proposed broiler farm.
• Bank Submission: The livestock owner is then required to submit the prepared project report to a bank. This step is important for potentially obtaining additional financing beyond the scheme's subsidy, given that the unit cost exceeds the direct subsidy provided.
• Forwarding to Chief Veterinary Officer: Local Veterinary Officers forward all submitted applications, along with the project reports, to the Chief Veterinary Officer’s office at the district level for further processing.
• Verification and Selection: A District Executive Committee is responsible for carrying out a detailed verification of all applications and their supporting documents. This committee assesses the eligibility of applicants and the viability of their proposed broiler farms.
• Beneficiary Selection and Subsidy Disbursement: After verification is completed, the District Executive Committee makes the final selection of beneficiaries. Once selected, the approved subsidy amounts are transferred directly to the beneficiaries' KYC-certified bank accounts.

The selection process for the Establishment of Broiler Farms scheme operates through a multi-tiered, locally administered evaluation. Following initial identification by local Veterinary Officers and submission of applications with supporting documents, a detailed project report is prepared for each applicant. These reports, together with the application forms, are sent to the Chief Veterinary Officer’s office.

The District Executive Committee carries out the central role in selection. It verifies all submitted information, including Aadhaar details, bank records, and land ownership or lease documents. The committee assesses the feasibility and potential impact of each proposed broiler farm, giving preference to women and Self-Help Groups (SHGs). The committee makes the final decision on beneficiary selection, after which subsidy disbursement begins.