The Dairy Entrepreneurship Development Scheme (DEDS) focuses on boosting the Indian dairy sector. The scheme encourages self-employment opportunities for those individuals who want to be involved in businesses related to modern dairy farming.

The businesspersons who produce clean milk, practice heifer calf rearing, and invest in technologies to bring structural changes in the dairy sector will be granted subsidies. Using this scheme and taking a dairy farming loan can help you become an entrepreneur in the dairy sector.

The National Bank for Rural and Agricultural Development (NABARD) is the driving force behind DEDS. Other banks and financial institutions, which are eligible as per NABARD, can also implement this scheme.

To avail of DEDS, you will need to attain your Udyog Aadhar certificate to kickstart your small or medium business; but what exactly is the Dairy Entrepreneurship Development Scheme? And what role does it play?

What is Dairy Entrepreneurship Development Scheme?

The department of Animal Husbandry, dairying, and fisheries are implementing Dairy Entrepreneurship Development Scheme (DEDS) for generating self-employment opportunities in the dairy sector, covering activities such as enhancement of milk production, procurement, preservation, transportation, processing, and marketing of milk.

Objectives of the Dairy Entrepreneurship Development Scheme

The Dairy Entrepreneurship Development Scheme has two primary objectives- the first is to boost self-employment opportunities in India’s dairy sector, while the second objective is to develop the infrastructure by investing in better, reliable technology.

The two primary objectives of the DEDS show that it came into existence to give an overall boost to the industries, which combine farming and technology. The DEDS benefits the farm animal industry and the technology industry, which aids the dairy sector.

But within these two broad objectives are goals through which the Dairy Entrepreneurship Development Scheme strives to bring about economic, general, and agricultural development. You can understand this through the following list.

• The easy setup of business through subsidies and dairy farming loans will help increase employment opportunities in India.
• Due to technology, the milk produced will be unadulterated; the consumer, therefore, will have access to better food quality.
• The scheme encourages heifer calf rearing, which ensures well-conserved breeding stock.
• An overall plan of subsidies can help the business be present at the root level of villages, thereby generating more income.
• Milk and its byproducts will commercially earn a higher capital.
• Avoid the usage of obsolete technologies and upgrade the technology and machinery used.These are some of the objectives of the Government’s Dairy Entrepreneurship Development Scheme. The overall examination of these objectives shows how the government aims to make the dairy sector in India organized through the DEDS.

  This scheme helps self-employed businesspersons create more economic opportunities and ensures better quality dairy products.

  As a result, the scheme can positively affect many sectors in India directly and indirectly. So if the dairy farming business interests you, use the support of small/medium business loans and learn more about the features of the DEDS.

  Features of the Dairy Entrepreneurship Development Scheme

  The Dairy Entrepreneurship Development Scheme was known as the Dairy Capital Venture Fund before 2010. The change initiated in 2010 worked towards financially assisting self-employed business people with a wide range of components. These include:

  1. Rearing up to 20 heifer calves or graded buffaloes.
  2. Vermicompost with milch animals.
  3. Setting up small dairy units with up to 10 cows or buffaloes.
  4. Buying milking machinery with a capacity of 2,000 litres.
  5. Equipment to produce milk products.
  6. Transportation facilities for dairy products.
  7. Cold storage for milk.
  8. Setting up dairies.
  9. Setting up veterinary clinics.

  The diversity in these ten points shows us how the DEDS is associated with various businesses tied to the dairy industry. If any of these businesses interest you, you can opt for the DEDS after fulfilling a few eligibility criteria:

  • You can ask for assistance with any of these components but only once.
  • You can be a farmer, an association, an entrepreneur, a pensioner, or a part of any organized, unorganized sector or even a self-help group to avail of this scheme. But do make sure that you have your Udyog Aadhar. In the case of dairy farming loans or quick business loans, take guidance from a trustworthy source.
  • Only one family member can avail of this scheme unless a different family member has a different setup and infrastructure 500 meters away from your farm.It is now time to understand how the DEDS will come into action once you meet the eligibility criteria:
    • If you avail of a loan of Rs. 1 lakh or more, the minimum entrepreneurship contribution should be at least 10% of the project cost.
    • If you are a farmer from the general category, your capital subsidy will be 25% of the total project cost.
    • As a farmer from the reserved category, you will be eligible to avail of a 33% capital subsidy of the total project cost.
    • You can also opt for a bank loan associated with dairy farming.  Learn how business loans work.

    To avail of the benefits of the DEDS, download its application form. You can also avail of the offline services by visiting your district’s chief animal husbandry officer. These are the default papers you will need to carry with you:

    • Copy of ration card.
    • Land papers (if required, proof of loan over rupees one lakh).
    • Driving license in the case of transport-related business.
    • Three passport-size photos.
    • Affidavit or certificate, which proves your employment status and shows that you are not a bank defaulter.

    While these are the default documents, it is always best to ask the officers beforehand which verification documents will be required.

    These features of the Dairy Entrepreneurship Development Scheme try to ensure that as many businesses and individuals associated with the dairy sector in India should flourish. In some cases, women and farmers will be given more priority as benefactors of the scheme.

    The Dairy Entrepreneurship Development Scheme is the government’s way of ensuring that the dairy sector in India grows economically and technologically. Any individual or association can set up a business in the dairy farming sector through this scheme.

    Moreover, your business need not be limited to mainstream dairy. You can also venture into transportation, veterinary services, or machinery development as long as it benefits the dairy sector.

    If you plan to get into the dairy sector, ensure that your monetary needs are taken care of and opt for the Dairy Entrepreneurship Development Scheme to reach your goal of self-employment.

    Dairy Entrepreneurship Development Scheme – FAQs

    What is the Dairy Entrepreneurship Development Scheme?

    In the dairy sector, the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying, and Fisheries is implementing the Dairy Entrepreneurship Development Scheme (DEDS) in order to generate self-employment opportunities, including milk production enhancement, procurement, preservation, transportation, processing, and marketing.

    Who implements the Dairy Entrepreneurship Development Scheme?

    Implementation of the scheme is handled by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).

    What is the subsidy for dairy farming?

    The back-end capital subsidy will consist of 25% of the outlay (33.33 % for SC/ST farmers) subject to a ceiling of Rs 1.20 lakh for a unit of 20 calves ( Rs 1.60 lakh for SC/ST farmers). Capital subsidies for a 5 calf unit are limited to Rs 30,000 (Rs 40,000 for SC/ST farmers).