Gujarat Integrated Dairy Development Scheme: Financial Assistance and Support for Tribal Women

Overview of the Gujarat Integrated Dairy Development Scheme

The Gujarat Integrated Dairy Development Scheme, also known as the Integrated Dairy Development Project (IDDP), is an initiative launched by the Tribal Development Department of the Government of Gujarat. Initially rolled out in the 2007-08 period, the scheme aims to support Scheduled Tribe (ST) families living below the poverty line (BPL) by transforming dairy farming into a sustainable, full-time livelihood enterprise for tribal women.

Implemented through the Development Support Agency of Gujarat (D-SAG) as the nodal agency, the scheme provides structured assistance to build a reliable dairy unit for participating households.

Financial Assistance and Unit Cost

The total unit cost under the scheme is ₹90,000 per beneficiary. The financial structure comprises:

• Loan: ₹29,000 provided by the Gujarat Tribal Development Corporation (GTDC).
• Central Subsidy: A proposed ₹29,000 from the Government of India.
• State Assistance: ₹29,000 from the Government of Gujarat.
• Beneficiary Contribution: A minimal contribution of ₹3,000 from the applicant.

Financial assistance and transactions are processed through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), while loans from GTDC carry an annual interest rate of 6% with a repayment structure spanning 30 equal monthly instalments after an initial three-month moratorium.

Key Benefits and Support Services

Eligible participants receive comprehensive support designed to ensure long-term viability in dairy farming:

• Provision of quality milch cattle.
• Inclusion of cattle insurance within the unit cost.
• Transportation support, cattle feed, and veterinary healthcare services.
• Training programs on scientific dairy practices.
• Assured milk-buying markets through district milk cooperative unions.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the Integrated Dairy Development Scheme, applicants must meet specific requirements:

• Must be a woman belonging to a Scheduled Tribe (ST).
• Must belong to a Below Poverty Line (BPL) family, specifically targeting BPL scores between 0 and 20.
• Must reside in designated tribal areas or village clusters within Gujarat covered by implementing district dairies.
• Must be active as a farmer, livestock keeper, or self-employed individual in tribal or forest regions and hold membership in a Milk Producers' Cooperative Society.

Application and Verification Process

Applications are accepted online via the official D-SAG Sahay portal. The process generally involves:

1. Registering on the portal using an active mobile number and ration card details.
2. Selecting the Integrated Dairy Development Scheme from the available options.
3. Filling out personal, financial, and family details accurately.
4. Uploading necessary scanned documents and submitting the application.

Verification and selection are conducted by D-SAG and local authorities through a transparent cluster-based saturation approach. Applicants are advised to verify official guidelines and announcements directly on the D-SAG portal before applying.