Uttar Pradesh Government Launches Holistic Rural Development Plan Combining Cow Protection, Clean Energy, and Employment
In a bid to reinforce rural economies and promote sustainable development, the Uttar Pradesh government is preparing to launch a comprehensive new initiative that links cow protection with livelihood generation, officials announced on Sunday.
The scheme, titled Mukhyamantri Sahbhagita Yojana, is designed to empower farmers, women, and rural youth through an integrated model that emphasizes organic agriculture, renewable energy, and cattle-rearing.
According to Anurag Srivastava, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the Uttar Pradesh Gau Seva Commission, the blueprint for the scheme has been finalized and will be implemented shortly.
He stated that the program aims to foster self-sufficiency in rural areas by encouraging farmers to rear one to four cows, build cattle sheds using MGNREGA funds, and install small biogas units to convert cattle waste into clean, usable energy.
“The project blends traditional practices like cow rearing with modern sustainable solutions. It will promote organic farming, bio-fertilizer production, and the use of renewable energy, thereby creating environmentally friendly, economically viable rural ecosystems,” Srivastava said.
A government spokesperson described the Mukhyamantri Sahbhagita Yojana as a “holistic model of rural upliftment”, emphasizing its focus on community empowerment and climate-resilient livelihoods.
Special attention will be given to women’s self-help groups and rural youth, who are expected to be the main beneficiaries and stakeholders in the project.
The initiative comes as part of Uttar Pradesh’s broader effort to emerge as a leader in livestock development and cow conservation.
On Saturday, the state government highlighted that Uttar Pradesh accounts for 16% of India’s total cattle population, underscoring its dominant role in the sector.
Quoting the 20th Livestock Census (2019), officials noted that the state is home to 1.90 crore cattle, including 11.84 lakh stray cattle. Since Yogi Adityanath assumed office as Chief Minister in 2017, cow protection and indigenous cattle breed promotion have become top policy priorities, the government said.
Uttar Pradesh’s livestock sector now contributes 7.1% to the national GDP, significantly above the national average of 4.11%, showcasing the sector’s potential in enhancing rural incomes and employment.
The state also produces approximately 390 lakh metric tonnes of milk annually, contributing substantially to the rural economy and food security.
Under the Chief Minister’s Indigenous Cow Promotion Scheme and Nandini Krishak Samriddhi Yojana, the state is actively encouraging the rearing of native cattle breeds like Sahiwal, Gir, and Tharparkar.
These initiatives also promote the establishment of cattle units with up to 25 milch cows, with 50% of the support directed towards women beneficiaries, ensuring gender inclusivity in rural enterprise.
Further, the state’s Fodder Policy 2024 has introduced Napier grass cultivation across 230 hectares, targeting an annual yield of 1.73 lakh quintals of green fodder to support the growing livestock population.
