Introduction

The National Livestock Mission (NLM) is one of the most significant central government schemes supporting goat and sheep breeding in India, offering capital support that can meaningfully lower the barrier to starting a commercial unit. Here’s a plain-language breakdown of how it works.

What NLM Covers

NLM’s Entrepreneurship Development Programme component supports individuals, self-help groups, and companies setting up goat/sheep breeding farms, with capital subsidy support commonly cited at up to 50% of the project cost, subject to programme ceilings. The scheme is designed to encourage larger, more organised breeding units rather than only micro-scale farming, though smaller applicants can also apply.

Who Can Apply

Eligible applicants typically include individual farmers/entrepreneurs, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Joint Liability Groups, Section 8 companies, and private companies. Requirements around minimum herd size, land documentation, and a viable project report are common across applicants, though exact eligibility details are set at the implementing-agency level and can shift between funding cycles.

What You’ll Typically Need to Apply

• A detailed project report (DPR) outlining herd size, shed plan, and financial projections
• Land ownership or lease documentation for the proposed farm site
• Bank account and KYC documentation
• In many cases, some form of relevant training or experience is looked upon favourably, even if not strictly mandatory