The Indira Mahila Dairy Scheme has been launched in Khammam district as a pilot project, providing selected women with two cows each at 80% subsidy. The initiative started in Madhira constituency, with the first batch being distributed across five mandals, totaling 250 cows for 125 beneficiaries.
The scheme aims to benefit 20,000 women, ultimately distributing 40,000 cows. The district purchase committee has procured the cows from Andhra Pradesh and is distributing them in Mudigonda, Errupalem, and Bonakal mandals. Each beneficiary receives cows worth ₹4 lakh, paying only ₹40,000 per cow, with the remaining ₹1.60 lakh covered as subsidy. For those unable to pay, banks provide loans that can be repaid from milk sales.
Priority and Infrastructure
Priority is given to SC, ST, and minority women. Already, 125 beneficiaries have received their cows. Errupalem recently inaugurated a bulk milk chilling unit with a 5,000-liter capacity, where women supply up to 2,000 liters of milk daily. Similar units are being prepared in Bonakal and Mudigonda. The government has allocated 9.5 acres in Bonakal for a full-fledged dairy plant producing milk packets and by-products.
Economic Empowerment
The scheme not only supports dairy farming but also aims to generate employment for the unemployed through fodder production, milk packing, supply units, and retail sales of dairy products. Once fully implemented in Madhira, it could expand to other constituencies across the state.
Projected Impact
Upon completion, the 20,000 beneficiaries will collectively produce 2.4 lakh liters of milk per day, potentially earning ₹25 crore per month. By including value-added products like curd, butter, ghee, paneer, and sweets, the scheme aims for a turnover of ₹500 crore, empowering rural women and strengthening household incomes.
Voices from Beneficiaries
Mondru Jayamma, Inagali village: “We already had two cows. With the government’s support, we can rear them on our farmland, strengthening our family financially.”
Iruku Nagamani, Mudigonda: “We received two cows under the scheme. Paying ₹40,000 to the bank while ₹1.6 lakh was waived was a relief. These cows provide five liters of milk daily. We are grateful to the state government and Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka.”
Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka emphasized that the scheme empowers women economically, strengthens rural economies, and supports farmer families with additional income.