, 25 July 2016 : In order to increase buffalo livestock in the state, the Tamil Nadu state government has decided to set up buffalo dairy farms. These dairy farms will get support from the government.

Close to 180 buffalo dairies, each at a cost of $7000 (Rs.450,000), would be established with financial assistance from the government across the State during the current financial year under the National Agriculture Development Programme.

Each district will have six dairy farms of which four will be set up in first phase and remaining two will be set up in the next phase.

The beneficiary who is interested in setting up the farm will have to invest 25 per cent and the balance 75 per cent will be invested by the government.

To start this farm, the beneficiary should own of have at least one acre of land for fodder cultivation and will have to give an undertaking to the effect that he/she would maintain the animals purchased under the scheme for a minimum of two years, failing which legal action could be initiated.

For the maintaining and rearing the animal, a formal two days training will be provided Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TNASU) at at the respective district headquarters.

Each unit would have five buffaloes and initially three buffaloes would be provided to each beneficiary. Two more buffaloes would be provided after three months.

The Animal Husbandry Department, which is the executing agency of the project, has invited applications from farmers interested in availing the scheme.