Pankaja Munde Urges Wider Outreach of Rural Livestock Entrepreneurship Scheme

Mumbai, April 2026 : Maharashtra Animal Husbandry Minister Pankaja Munde has directed officials to ensure that the Chief Minister’s Rural Livestock Entrepreneurship Scheme reaches the maximum number of livestock farmers across rural areas.

Describing the scheme as an ambitious initiative, the minister said it aims to transform traditional livestock rearing into a sustainable entrepreneurial activity. She emphasised that effective dissemination of information is crucial so that more livestock farmers can benefit from the programme.

Munde issued these directions while reviewing the progress of the scheme in a meeting attended by senior officials, including Animal Husbandry Secretary Dr. Ramaswamy N., Commissioner Pravin Kumar Deore, and Deputy Secretary Nivrutti Marale.

The minister highlighted that the scheme is designed to give a structured boost to the animal husbandry sector in the state by encouraging farmers to adopt modern, business-oriented practices. It is divided into two components — a state-level plan and a district-level plan. Under the district-level component, beneficiaries can access 15 different schemes, while the state-level component offers 12 schemes.

She noted that financial assistance under these schemes will be provided directly to beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) via the MahaDBT platform, ensuring transparency and efficiency. Munde urged all officials in the Animal Husbandry Department to take proactive steps to spread awareness about the scheme among livestock farmers.

The minister also called for the creation of organised clusters for activities such as goat rearing and poultry farming to improve productivity and income generation. Additionally, she stressed the need to develop a dedicated state brand for egg production, which could enhance market visibility and strengthen the sector’s value chain.

Speaking at the meeting, Dr. Ramaswamy informed that the department plans to conduct state-level workshops for animal husbandry officers to familiarise them with the scheme and its implementation. Similar workshops will also be held at the taluka level to ensure effective outreach at the grassroots.

He further added that necessary systems and infrastructure will be established at veterinary hospitals to facilitate the smooth delivery of benefits under the scheme.

The government believes that with proper awareness and execution, the Rural Livestock Entrepreneurship Scheme can significantly improve rural livelihoods, generate employment, and promote self-reliance among livestock farmers across Maharashtra.