More than 29,500 tribal women across Gujarat have received animal husbandry assistance worth ₹162.28 crore over the past three years under the state government's Integrated Dairy Development Scheme, which provides financial support to help women from below-poverty-line tribal households establish dairy-based livelihoods, according to an official statement released on Tuesday, 27 October 2026. The scheme, active across 14 tribal districts of Gujarat, has distributed more than 1.96 lakh milch animals since its launch in 2007-08.

Year-on-Year Growth in Beneficiaries

The scheme has seen a sharp rise in coverage over recent years. In 2023-24, 6,860 women received assistance worth ₹30.87 crore. That figure more than doubled the following year, with 13,616 beneficiaries receiving ₹78.97 crore in 2024-25. In 2025-26, 9,042 women received support worth ₹52.44 crore. For the current financial year 2026-27, the state has allocated ₹65 crore to extend benefits to 11,206 additional women, with assistance of ₹58,000 per beneficiary, according to the Tribal Development Department.

How the Funding Structure Works

Each animal unit under the scheme is valued at ₹90,000, covering the purchase of a milch animal, insurance, transportation, cattle feed, veterinary treatment, and specialised vocational training. The funding is split across four sources: a loan of ₹29,000, a Central government subsidy of ₹29,000, state government assistance of ₹29,000, and a beneficiary contribution of ₹3,000. Eligible women can apply online through the Tribal Development Office in their respective districts.

Incentive-Linked Access to a Second Animal

The scheme builds in a loan-repayment incentive to expand its impact. A beneficiary who repays more than 60 per cent of her loan in timely instalments — using income earned from the first milch animal — becomes eligible to receive a second animal. This arrangement is designed to progressively increase milk production and household income. Beneficiaries also receive training in scientific animal husbandry and are encouraged to supply milk regularly to local dairy cooperatives.

Broader Goals: Reducing Migration, Supporting Families

The scheme targets tribal women from families with poverty scores ranging from zero to 20. By anchoring dairy farming close to home, the initiative aims to provide more stable household income and reduce dependence on seasonal migration for work — a persistent challenge in tribal belt districts. According to the state government, the programme is intended to help beneficiaries meet household expenses, fund children's education, and manage healthcare costs through dairy income.

Government Oversight

The scheme is being implemented under Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, with Tribal Development Minister Naresh Patel overseeing the department's initiatives. The programme's steady expansion over three years points to sustained state-level commitment to welfare-linked livelihood schemes in Gujarat's tribal regions. Whether the current-year target of 11,206 beneficiaries is met on schedule will be a key indicator of on-ground delivery capacity.