Scheme to Provide Assistance in Cow Maintenance Expenses to Farmers Practicing Completely Natural Farming Based on Indigenous Cows

Scheme to Provide Assistance in Cow Maintenance Expenses to Farmers Practicing Completely Natural Farming Based on Indigenous Cows offers Gujarat farmers ₹900 per month, which comes to ₹10,800 in a year, to look after one indigenous cow used for natural farming. The money helps cover the daily maintenance cost of a desi cow, so farmers can keep practicing chemical-free cultivation without a heavy burden on their pocket.

Department of Agriculture, Farmers Welfare and Co-operation, Government of Gujarat manages this scheme for 2026-27. Farmers apply online through the official iKhedut portal, and the application window usually opens between June and August every year. The scheme continues to support the state's natural farming drive, where cow dung and urine are used to prepare Jivamrut, Ghan-Jivamrut, and other organic inputs.

Scheme to Provide Assistance in Cow Maintenance Expenses to Farmers Practicing Completely Natural Farming Based on Indigenous Cows - Introduction

The main aim of the scheme is to make natural farming more affordable for small and marginal farmers of Gujarat. Keeping an indigenous cow costs money for feed, fodder, and general care, and this cost often stops farmers from shifting to chemical-free methods. With this monthly cash support, the government encourages farmers to keep desi cows and use cow-based inputs on their fields.

Healthy soil and lower input costs are the two big gains from this scheme. When a farmer uses Jivamrut prepared from desi cow dung and urine, the soil stays fertile, and the need for costly chemical fertilizers comes down. The scheme also gives farmers a reason to keep indigenous cows instead of letting them become stray cattle.

Support is provided for one indigenous cow per eligible farmer. The benefit is given once per beneficiary, and only one beneficiary is allowed per land account, as per sample number 8-A of the land record. Farmers who already practice natural farming and certified master trainers get priority during selection.

Benefits

A farmer selected under this scheme gets ₹900 every month for the maintenance of one indigenous cow. In a full year, this adds up to ₹10,800, which covers a large part of the feed and fodder cost of a desi cow. The amount is paid to the bank account of the eligible farmer.

The benefit is limited to one cow and can be received only once per eligible beneficiary. Farmers who have completed natural farming training are given priority, and only one member from a family can get the benefit under the same land account.

Eligibility

A farmer must meet these conditions to get the benefit:

• Farmer should be a practicing farmer in Gujarat who is doing natural farming on at least 1 acre (40 guntha) of land, and should have the land record to prove it.
• Farmer should own one indigenous (desi) cow with an official identification tag, like the 12-digit ear tag given during tagging.
• Farmer should have an active bank account linked with Aadhaar to receive the monthly amount directly.

Preference goes to farmers who are already practicing natural agriculture and to master trainers who hold certification from authorized natural farming trainers. Only one beneficiary is allowed per account, as per sample number 8-A. If the cow is not tagged at the time of application, the farmer must attach the tag within seven days, or the application may be rejected.

Application Process

The application process is fully online through the official iKhedut portal of Gujarat. A farmer can apply by following these steps:

STEP 1 - Visit the official iKhedut portal and register or log in using the mobile number linked with Aadhaar.

STEP 2 - On the home page, open the 'Schemes' section and select 'Animal Husbandry Schemes'.

STEP 3 - Find this scheme in the list and click on the 'Apply' button.

STEP 4 - New applicants should click 'Apply New'. Farmers who need to correct a submitted form can select 'Update Application'.

STEP 5 - Fill in the land, cow, and bank details, check the information, and confirm the application.

STEP 6 - Take a printout of the completed application and submit it with the required documents to the local Gram Sevak, BTM, ATM, or the Project Director of Aatma.

STEP 7 - Track the application status, view, or print the application from the Applicant Corner on the iKhedut portal.

For any help with the application, farmers can contact the department through the cattle development board contact page.

Documents

Keep these documents ready before starting the application:

• Proof of natural farming on 1 acre (40 guntha) of land, such as land records.
• Aadhaar card of the applicant.
• Active bank account details linked with Aadhaar.
• Proof of ownership of an indigenous cow with an identification tag.
• Training certificate, if the applicant is a certified master trainer.
• Certificate confirming the existence of the cow.
• Other supporting documents asked by the department.

References

Official links related to this scheme are given below:

• Official scheme page on ATMA Gujarat
• Official scheme guidelines on Agriculture Department Gujarat
• iKhedut official portal
• Agriculture Department Gujarat homepage

FAQ's

What is the primary objective of this scheme?

The objective is to give financial support for the maintenance of one indigenous cow to farmers who practice complete natural farming. This makes chemical-free cultivation cheaper and keeps the soil healthy.

How much money will a farmer get?

A farmer gets ₹900 per month, which comes to ₹10,800 in a full year, for maintaining one indigenous cow.

Who is eligible under this scheme?

Any farmer practicing natural farming on at least 1 acre of land and owning an indigenous cow with an identification tag is eligible. Certified master trainers get priority.

Can a farmer apply more than once?

No, the benefit is provided only once to each eligible beneficiary, and it covers one cow.

Which cow breeds are covered?

Only indigenous (native) cow breeds are covered. Crossbred and other foreign breeds are not eligible under this scheme.

What if the cow does not have an identification tag?

The tag must be attached within seven days of application, otherwise the application may be rejected.

Where does a farmer submit the application?

The application is submitted online through the official iKhedut portal under Animal Husbandry Schemes. A printout with documents is then submitted to the Gram Sevak, BTM, ATM, or Project Director of Aatma.

How is the verification done?

After submission, a three-member field verification team, including officials like the Gram Sevak, checks the details and confirms whether the farmer and the cow meet the scheme conditions.

Can two members of the same family apply?

No, only one beneficiary is allowed per account or household under this scheme.

When does the application window open?

The application window on the iKhedut portal usually opens between June and August every year. Farmers should watch the official portal for the exact notified dates for 2026.