Government has been implementing several schemes for incentivizing the investment made by dairy cooperative sector for development of dairy infrastructure. The Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) has been set up as MSMEs and Private companies also need to be promoted and incentivized for their involvement in processing and value addition infrastructure. Beneficiaries The eligible beneficiaries under the Scheme would be Farmer Producer Organization (FPO) Private companies Individual entrepreneurs Section 8 companies Micro Small and Medium Enterprises Benefits The beneficiaries are to contribute a minimum of 10% margin money as investment. The balance 90% would be the loan component to be made available by scheduled banks. Government of India will provide 3% interest subvention to eligible beneficiaries. There will be 2 years moratorium period for principal loan amount and 6 years repayment period thereafter. From the Credit Guarantee Fund, Credit guarantee would be provided to those sanctioned projects which are covered under MSME defined ceilings. Guarantee Coverage would be upto 25% of Credit facility of borrower. How to apply The beneficiaries intending to invest for establishing dairy and meat processing and value addition infrastructure or strengthening of the existing infrastructure can apply for loan in the scheduled bank through “Udyami Mitra” portal of SIDBI. To access the complete scheme guidelines, click here.