Maintenance of Pregnant Desi/Indigenous Cow/Buffalo Ration Scheme for BPL Families Belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC) Category supports poor livestock owners in Himachal Pradesh with a 50% subsidy on balanced feed for pregnant cows and buffaloes during their final trimester. Online registration for 2026-27 is open on the official portal of the Department of Animal Husbandry, Himachal Pradesh.
About 6.5 lakh cows and buffaloes become pregnant in the state every year. BPL families with small land holdings often cannot provide a nutritious diet to pregnant animals, so the health of the mother and calf suffers and underweight calves are born. This scheme gives 3 kg of balanced ration per day for up to two animals for three months at half the cost.
The benefit is given during the last trimester of pregnancy, which is the most important phase for the growth of the calf and the next lactation cycle of the animal. With proper feed in these three months, milk production can rise by about 2 litres per day after calving, which adds to the income of the family.
Maintenance of Pregnant Desi/Indigenous Cow/Buffalo Ration Scheme for BPL Families Belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC) Category - Introduction
Cows and buffaloes usually stay in lactation until the sixth or seventh month of pregnancy. After that, a dry period of about three months is needed so that the calf develops properly and the animal yields good milk in the next lactation. During this dry period, the pregnant animal needs extra nutrition, but many BPL families in the Scheduled Caste category cannot arrange a balanced diet on their own.
Department of Animal Husbandry, Himachal Pradesh covers this gap through the scheme. Cattle feed is given to pregnant cows and buffaloes of BPL families belonging to the SC category at a 50% subsidy for the last three months of pregnancy. The cost of the feed is shared on a 50:50 basis between the government and the beneficiary, and the price depends on the tender or approved rates.
Main aims of the scheme are:
- Increase milk production and give more economic gains to farmers.
- Reduce the inter calving period so that more calves are born and milk output stays steady.
- Improve the health of pregnant cows and buffaloes so they reach their full milk production potential after calving.
- Make sure healthy calves are born, free from disease and malnutrition, so they grow into higher producing animals.
- Encourage farmers to keep rearing Desi and indigenous cattle breeds.
Key Information
| Scheme Name | Maintenance of Pregnant Desi/Indigenous Cow/Buffalo Ration Scheme for BPL Families Belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC) Category |
| Level | State |
| Scheme For | Family |
| Beneficiary State | Himachal Pradesh |
| Category | Agriculture, Rural & Environment |
| Nodal Department | Animal Husbandry Department, Himachal Pradesh |
| Benefit Type | In Kind |
| Initial Launch Date | 29 March 2022 |
| Official Website | hpahdbt.hp.gov.in |
Benefits
The scheme supports farmers directly and improves livestock productivity:
| Benefit Item | Description |
| Ration Support | 3 kg of balanced ration per day for up to two animals for three months. |
| Subsidy | 50% of feed cost is covered by the government. |
| Milk Yield Increase | Milk production can rise by about 2 litres per day after balanced feeding. |
| Income Potential | Farmers selling milk at ₹30 per litre can see income rise by roughly ₹18,000 over a 300 day lactation period. |
Eligibility
These conditions must be met to apply under the scheme:
- Applicant must be a permanent resident of Himachal Pradesh.
- Applicant must belong to a BPL family in the Scheduled Caste (SC) category.
- Applicant must own Desi, Indigenous or crossbred cows or buffaloes.
- Subsidy support is available for a maximum of two animals per family.
Application Process
Application is submitted online through the official portal of the Department of Animal Husbandry, Himachal Pradesh. Steps for the online application are:
STEP 1 - Visit the official application page at Maintenance Cow Buffalo Ration Scheme under SCSP.
STEP 2 - Read the eligibility criteria and scheme guidelines on the page before filling the form.
STEP 3 - Select the I agree checkbox and click on Proceed to open the application form.
STEP 4 - Fill in personal details such as name, father or husband name, district, tehsil, block, gram panchayat, veterinary hospital, address, Aadhaar number, mobile number and email.
STEP 5 - Add your category, sub category like BPL, bank name, bank account number and IFSC code, annual income and land area.
STEP 6 - Enter the number of animals and their Ear Tag Numbers. Maximum two animals can be added.
STEP 7 - Upload the required documents in pdf or jpg format and click on Submit. Keep a copy of the application for future reference.
Documents
Digital copies of these documents are needed while filling the online form:
- Aadhaar card
- Bank passbook
- BPL certificate
- Pregnancy certificate for the animal
- Landless certificate, if applicable
- Income proof and residence proof
- Animal details with Ear Tag Numbers
Note: Copy of bank passbook, BPL certificate and pregnancy certificate should be in pdf or jpg format, and each file should be 5 MB or less.
References
FAQ's
What is the objective of the scheme?
The main aim is to boost milk production, improve the health of pregnant livestock, and support SC BPL families with subsidized animal feed during the last trimester of pregnancy.
Who is eligible under this scheme?
Livestock owners from SC BPL families in Himachal Pradesh rearing indigenous or crossbred cattle and buffaloes are eligible. Permanent residency in the state is required.
How is the cost shared?
The government and the beneficiary share the feed cost on a 50:50 basis.
For how many animals can I claim this benefit?
The subsidy can be claimed for a maximum of two animals per family.
How long will the ration support last?
Ration support is provided for three months during the final trimester of pregnancy.
Can I apply offline?
The application is submitted online through the official portal of the Department of Animal Husbandry, Himachal Pradesh.