CM Rural Livestock Entrepreneur Scheme to create new opportunities for economic upliftment of livestock farmers – Minister Pankaja Munde

Mumbai, March 2026: Animal Husbandry, Environment and Climate Change Minister Pankaja Munde said that the state budget presented by Chief Minister and Finance Minister Devendra Fadnavis is a decisive step toward a developed Maharashtra. She said the provisions and new schemes announced for the animal husbandry and environment sectors will strengthen the rural economy. In particular, the announcement of the Chief Minister Rural Livestock Entrepreneur Scheme will create new opportunities for livestock farmers in the state.

She noted that animal husbandry in the state has already been granted status equivalent to agriculture, and the new scheme will further strengthen the sector. Through this initiative, livestock production is expected to increase significantly, employment opportunities in rural areas will grow, and income of livestock farmers will rise. The budget also reflects the state government’s determination to achieve self-sufficiency in livestock production by integrating various schemes at the state and district levels.

Minister Munde said that special programmes will be implemented to encourage women farmers engaged in dairy farming, poultry farming and goat rearing, in connection with the International Year of Women Farmers. This decision will be an important step toward women’s economic empowerment, she added.

She further said that technology-based initiatives in the agriculture and animal husbandry sectors — such as Mahavistar AI, Vasudha Voice Telephony, Maharashtra Agriculture Data Exchange, and an AI-enabled Sandbox — will help farmers and livestock rearers access modern information, guidance and technology, thereby improving productivity.

Minister Munde also highlighted that the budget includes important decisions for environmental conservation. With assistance from the Asian Development Bank, a ₹4,271-crore Bamboo Development Project will be implemented, which will strengthen the state’s green economy. By developing a bamboo processing value chain, the project is expected to attract large-scale investment and help generate around five lakh jobs.

In addition, she said the decision to provide tax concessions on motor vehicles to promote eco-friendly vehicles and increase environmental tax on old and polluting vehicles reflects a far-sighted approach to environmental protection, which will help reduce air pollution in the state.

Minister Pankaja Munde expressed confidence that the budget — based on the principles of good governance, inclusiveness, innovation and transparency — will bring positive changes in the living standards of farmers, livestock rearers and citizens across the state.