Tamil Nadu Receives Major Boost Under AHIDF for Livestock and Dairy Development
New Delhi : The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying has approved multiple projects under the Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) in Tamil Nadu. These projects span various districts, covering areas such as dairy processing, meat processing, animal feed production, and breed improvement.
To ensure equitable fund distribution across all districts, several measures have been introduced. The government has expanded eligibility to include individual enterprises, MSMEs, cooperatives, and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). Additionally, a dedicated online portal (ahidf.udyamimitra.in) facilitates transparent application submission, even from remote areas. State-level nodal officers and bank officers have been appointed to provide guidance and monitor project implementation.
Employment and Production Impact
The AHIDF-funded projects in Tamil Nadu have resulted in 4,595 direct jobs and an estimated 3.78 lakh indirect employment opportunities. The projects have significantly boosted livestock production capacity, adding:
- 24.34 lakh liters/day in dairy processing
- 12.76 lakh metric tonnes/year of cattle and poultry feed
- 39,718 metric tonnes/year in meat processing
- 3.32 crore birds/year and 126.99 crore eggs/year to the supply chain
District-wise, 31 projects have been approved across Tamil Nadu, with key investments in Coimbatore, Dharmapuri, Dindigul, Erode, Karur, Krishnagiri, Namakkal, Perambalur, Salem, and Tiruppur.
The AHIDF initiative aligns with the government’s vision of modernizing animal husbandry and dairy production while generating employment and improving farmers’ livelihoods.
This information was shared by Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on April 2, 2025.
