GOVARDHINI SCHEME

Animal Husbandry Department

Special Livestock Breeding Programme

Govardhini scheme 2014-15  (2403-102-78) – Rs.24.0 Crores

Guidelines for implementation 

Administrative sanction: G.O.(Rt)No.1240/2014/AD dtd. 21-07-2014

Introduction:

            Reducing the age at puberty, age at first calving  and intercalving period of  the female calves borne in Kerala can create significant increase in milk production in the state.  Better feeding and scientific management is the strategy.

            Govardhini scheme is being proposed with the purpose of covering 38,160 female cross bred calves born in Kerala during 2014-15.

OBJECTIVES :-

“Provide Technical & Financial assistance for scientific rearing of all calves from 4- 30 months of age.”

1.      Providing total health care to the calves.

2.      Reduce age at puberty to below 15 month.

3.      Reduce age at first calving to 24-26 months.

4.      Reduce inter calving period.

5.      Fully exploit the genetic potential of the crossbred calves in terms of milk production per lactation.

6.      Bring up a new generation of high yielding cows to replace the existing cattle population.

7.      Bring up total increase in the Milk production of Kerala.

STRATEGY:

v  Female calves/Buffalo calves of 4-6 months of age are selected.

v  Selected calves will be given balanced feed at 50% subsidized rate from 4-30 months, limited to individual subsidy limit.

v  Insurance coverage from 4-32 months at 50% premium rate.

v  Beneficiaries will be given training in scientific calf rearing.

v  Deworming, supplementation of Vitamins & mineral mixtures and regular vaccination are ensured.

v  Encouragement for fodder cultivation will be given.

v  Farmer is advised to do routine works related to rearing of calves, maintenance of cattle shed, and purchase of feeding and watering utensils as beneficiary contribution, to prevent diseases.

v  Growth of the calves will be monitored once in every three months and Veterinary aid will be provided to the needy ones.

v  Breeding status will be assessed at 15-18 months of age.

MILK SOCIETIES:

The Scheme will be implemented through milk societies.  If milk societies are not available, other societies, Co-operative banks or Kudumbasree units or Hospital Development committees or other NGOs with required facilities may be considered.

SELECTION OF CALVES:

  Calves will be selected only from the Calf Birth Register on first come first serve basis by the local Veterinary Surgeon/Senior Veterinary Surgeon in accordance with the target given for a particular Panchayat/Municipality/ Corporation.  A beneficiary selected should have a female calf of  4-6 months of age of  his own, at the time of enrollment.  All the calves of S/T families are to be selected.  10% of the selected calves should be from S/C families. However if S/C, S/T families are not available, others can be selected.  30%of the calves should be of women farmers.  Priority should be given to widows.     First two calves of a farmer can be selected, but if he is having more calves, they can be selected if only there are no other applicants.

Ration schedule for calves

            It is better to give calf starter feed to young calves from the very age of 2 months.  Farmers are advised feeding of calf starter upto 4 months of age.     The ration schedule in the scheme is as follows

                        4^th month                   - 30 Kg calf feed       

5^th month                   - 45 Kg. calf feed

                        6^th month                   - 45 Kg calf feed                         

                        7^th – 18^th month         - 60 Kg calf feed               

                        19^th – 30^th month       - 75 Kg. calf feed

Feed shall be given up to 30 months irrespective of age and stage of lactation if the individual limit of subsidy is not exceeded.  But if the cost of feed is increased from the rate mentioned in the project, supply of feed @ 50% cost will be continued till the individual total subsidy is completely exhausted.

MONITORING    

    Monitoring of the scheme is a team work, done in 3 tiers

(i)                 State level- Quarterly review by the Secretary (AH). Monthly review by the Director of Animal Husbandry. Detailed monthly review by the Additional Director (SLBP HQ). All district level activities including financial transactions will be closely monitored and accounts audited yearly.

(ii)              District level- Monitoring committee may be constituted with Chairman of the District Panchayath, District Animal husbandry officer & District level implementing officer of SLBP.

(iii)            Panchayat level -  Panchayat President / Chairman of the development standing  committee, Veterinary Surgeons/SVS  of the concerned Panchayat/Municipality / Corporation and FLIO of SLBP, President (APCOS), Livestock Inspectors of the concerned Panchayat forms the Monitoring Committee.

                                          Expenditure for one calf

Description	Total	Subsidy	Beneficiary Contribution
Calf Feed 1410 Kg (4 – 30 months) @ Rs.17/Kg	23970	11985	11985
Insurance (4-32 Months)	504	252	252
Training	100	100
Deworming, Mineral Mixture	75	75
Managerial Subsidy @ Rs.3/calf/month (5-26 months)  (22 x3)	66	66
Fodder Slips	22	22
Fodder cultivation charges	263	-	263
Total	2500	12500	12500

Amount Proposed for different components may be utilized for calf Feed, if and when necessary.  But the total individual subsidy of Rs.12500/- should not be exceeded.

     Death of calves in between or discontinued from the scheme for many other reasons may lead to unspent part of subsidy amount.  Such unspent part of subsidy amount may be pooled together and can be utilized for assisting new calves.  All Components of subsidy, including assistance to insurance may be utilized for new calves registered, limiting the total subsidy to Rs.12500/-  The Implementing Officer should ensure that sufficient funds are available (Rs.12500/- per calf) to meet the subsidy of such newly enrolled calves.

Amount Required for the first year (2014-15)

Subsidy amount required for one Calf                             -           Rs.6250/-

Subsidy amount required for 38160 Calves                    -           Rs.23 85 00 000/-

Amount Required for Implementation charges 

(Fuel Charges, Office Expenses, Monitoring &               -           Rs.15 00 000/-

Evaluation etc.)

                                          Total Amount required            -           Rs.24 00 00 000

Budget Allocation for 2014-15 (2403-102-78)                   -           Rs.24 00 00 000

(The subsidy amount will be transferred into account (TSB) of the District Level Implementing Officers as taken up under the Special Livestock Breeding Programme in order to ensure regular and continuous supply of feed without any disruption which will affect the objective of the scheme.)