National Livestock Mission: Entrepreneurship for Breed Development of Rural Poultry

The National Livestock Mission (NLM) is a government initiative designed to improve livestock productivity, strengthen rural livelihoods, and promote sustainable livestock-based enterprises. It aims to support farmers, small entrepreneurs, and rural communities by enhancing breeding, feed resources, and overall livestock management, including opportunities to build a viable poultry farm business in rural areas.

The National Livestock Mission operates through three key sub-missions designed to boost livestock productivity, enhance rural income, and promote sustainable livestock enterprises:

Sub-Mission on Breed Development of Livestock and Poultry

This sub-mission supports activities like rural poultry entrepreneurship, small ruminant development, piggery promotion, and the strengthening of native breeds. The Entrepreneurship for Breed Development of rural Poultry initiative falls under this component and helps farmers set up parent farms, hatcheries, and mother units.

Sub-Mission on Feed and Fodder Development

This focuses on improving feed and fodder availability through fodder seed production, fodder banks, silage units, and support for entrepreneurial fodder activities.

Sub-Mission on Innovation and Extension

This sub-mission promotes research, extension services, training, livestock insurance, and innovative technologies to strengthen the sector.

The National Livestock Mission poultry scheme supports the development of rural poultry ecosystems and enhances productivity with long-term entrepreneurship support. It aims to do the following:

• Promote scientific poultry breeding and conservation

• Increase the supply of improved rural poultry breeds

• Generate employment opportunities in rural areas

• Strengthen organised poultry-based entrepreneurship

• Support rural households with scalable poultry business models

The National Livestock Mission poultry scheme provides structured support to poultry farmers and rural entrepreneurs. It includes infrastructure, training, and financial components that improve project viability and scalability. Its key features include:

• Support for parent farms, hatcheries, and mother units

• Mandatory training before subsidy approval

• Bank-linked financing for eligible projects

• Support for equipment, civil works, and operational systems.

• Encouraging participation of individuals, groups, and enterprises

This programme helps reduce initial investment pressure and increases access to technical support. You receive financial and operational advantages that strengthen lifecycle sustainability. Its key benefits are as follows:

• Up to 50% capital subsidy on eligible components

• Support for infrastructure development

• Assistance for breed procurement and hatchery system setup

• Access to verified breeds and expert support

• Improved business feasibility and faster operational stability

The subsidy framework follows a structured release process to ensure proper utilisation. You must comply with the following scheme guidelines and lender requirements to qualify:

• The maximum subsidy provided is 50% of the eligible project cost

• Subsidy is released in two instalments

• The first instalment is issued after the National Livestock Mission poultry loan approval and initial compliance

• The second instalment is released after verification of project progress

• Bank loan is mandatory; self-financed projects are not eligible

• Only approved breeds and project components qualify

• Subsidy disbursement depends on utilisation certification and inspection

This National Livestock Mission scheme supports end-to-end infrastructure requirements for rural poultry entrepreneurship. The following components ensure operational readiness and breed development capacity:

• Construction and civil work for poultry units

• Hatchery systems and temperature-controlled equipment

• Brooding and rearing units

• Breed procurement and parent stock

• Biosecurity and sanitation systems

• Feed storage units and essential machinery

Eligibility is defined to ensure that only suitable applicants with practical capacity receive the National Livestock Mission poultry loan support. You must meet the following criteria:

• Individuals or farmers with suitable land and project capacity

• Startups and existing poultry ventures with approved plans

• Farmer producer company (FPC), farmer producer organisation (FPO), and self-help groups (SHGs)

• Registered cooperatives and Section 8 companies with relevant scope

If you are a new enterprise, you may explore a startup loan to meet the financing requirements before submitting your application.

These conditions ensure project readiness and management capability. You must complete the following before approval:

• Approved training programme in poultry management

• Valid bank loan sanction from a recognised lender

• Land ownership proof or long-term lease agreement

• Detailed Project Report (DPR) submission

If you need financing support, you may explore options like an agriculture loan or business loan before applying. If your project structure qualifies as a micro or small enterprise, you may also explore an MSME loan option based on eligibility.

Some expenses are not eligible for the National Livestock Mission scheme, even if they relate to poultry activity. The following are excluded:

• Used machinery or refurbished equipment

• Projects without bank-linked financing

• Duplicate subsidy claims under related programmes

• Non-compliant breeds or unapproved infrastructure

The online application process is simple. You must register and upload the required documents to begin.

1. Visit the National Livestock Mission portal

2. Create a beneficiary login with Aadhaar and mobile number

3. Fill in project and personal details

4. Upload required documents, including the DPR

5. Select your lender and submit the application online

6. Await verification and loan approval

After submission, your National Livestock Mission application passes through multiple validation steps for approval and subsidy release.

1. Screening by the State Implementing Agency (SIA)

2. Financial appraisal and sanction by your lender

3. Review by the State Level Executive Committee (SLEC)

4. Final approval by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD)

5. Subsidy instalments released based on verified progress

You can track your application through the NLM portal dashboard. The system displays real-time updates on approvals, National Livestock Mission poultry loan status, inspections, and subsidy release stages.

Several documents are required for verification and to ensure compliance. You must submit:

• Detailed Project Report (DPR)

• Aadhaar and identity proof

• Address and land ownership proof

• Loan sanction letter

• Registration documents, if applicable

• Training certificate