Principles and Techniques of Veterinary and AH Extension

Special Livestock Breeding Programme

SPECIAL LIVESTOCK BREEDING PROGRAMME (SLBP)

• Based on the recommendations of National Commission on Agriculture (NCA), (1976), Special Livestock Production Programme was launched in 1975-76.
• The main objectives of the programme are
• to provide employment opportunities to the weaker sections of the rural poor and to supplement their income.
• to increase the production of livestock products like milk, eggs , wool etc.
• The programme includes crossbred heifer rearing scheme and setting up of sheep, poultry and piggery production units. The expenditure on SLBP is to be shared on 50 : 50 basis between Central and State Governments and cent percent by Central Government to union territories like Pondicherry. Thirty percent of the beneficiaries selected under the programme are to come from SC/ST communities. For setting up of sheep, poultry and piggery units subsidy is provided at the rate of 25 per cent to small farmers and 33 1/3 per cent to marginal farmers and agricultural labourers and 50 % in case of tribal beneficiaries.
• The scheme also aims at assisting the landless agricultural labourers, marginal and small farmers in improving the quality of crossbred heifer calves. The female calves in the age group of 4 to 10 months are included in the scheme. Balanced calf feed is supplied on subsidy to the owners of these selected calves up to 32 months or till the age at firs calving whichever is earlier. The calves included in the scheme are also insured by the Department of Animal Husbandry. The purpose of supplying calf feed to reduce the age at first calving is defeated in many cases because the beneficiaries were offering the calf feed to their cows for immediate benefit (milk production) rather than to their calves to reduce AFC ( long term goal). In some cases the calf feed is being sold by the beneficiaries to the other cattle owners.