J&K Govt announces 50 crore subsidy for poultry 

Pashu Sandesh,14 June 2020

The Government of the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir has launched its poultry policy 2020 and its operational guidelines. In line with the policy, the government announced an annual allocation of Rs 50 crore as subsidy for the establishment of layer/broiler farms and other poultry-related activities. The objective of the policy is to bridge the gap between the production of the eggs and poultry meat in the UT. The policy will remain in force for a period of 10 years from its implementation date.

The policy envisions to create employment opportunities for local unemployed educated youth and make the UT self-sufficient in poultry production by establishing mega projects like broiler/ egg breeder farms & hatcheries, feed mills and commercial layer/ broiler farms. The policy states that all MSME schemes by GOI for poultry industry will be applicable and extended to eligible poultry units in J&K.

Farmers, inpidual entrepreneurs, companies, NGOs, cooperatives and self-help groups can avail the benefits of this scheme. Principle secretary, animal and sheep husbandry department, Naveen K Choudhary informed that poultry farming has come up in a big way in Jammu, Kathua, Udhampur,  Pulwama, Shrinagar and Budgam districts and a large number of youth are taking up poultry farming as a means of earning a livelihood. He said in spite of having enormous potential and conducive environment for poultry development, still there is a significant gap between demand and supply of poultry products.

The main fiscal incentives of the scheme are-

1. Commercial layer/broiler farms with rearing capacity of more than 10,000 birds per unit will be provided capital investment incentive for access to credit @30% of the investment in plant and machinery (farm automation/equipment) with an upper limit of Rs 50 lakh. 
2. Commercial broiler /layer farms with capacity more than 10,000 birds will be given an interest incentive @3% on working capital credit advanced by financial institutions for first five years from the date of commencement of commercial production.
3. All eligible new and existing units on their substantial expansion above 10,000 birds will be eligible for reimbursement of 100% insurance premium on insurance of building, plant and machinery for a maximum of 5 years.
4. 100% subsidy on DG set with a maximum ceiling of Rs 4.5 lakh.
5. 50% subsidy on incinerator with a ceiling of Rs 1 lakh.