SPECIAL LIVESTOCK BREEDING PROGRAMME (SLBP)

Introduction

The Special Livestock Breeding Programme (SLBP), implemented by the Department of Animal Husbandry since 1976, is aimed at maximizing the production potential of crossbred calves through scientific rearing and management practices. The scheme provides comprehensive technical and financial support to dairy farmers, including the supply of high-quality cattle feed at subsidized rates, adequate healthcare services, insurance coverage, and promotion of scientific livestock management practices until the animals reach the milk production stage.

Scheme Profile

  • The Special Livestock Breeding Programme has been implemented by the Department of Animal Husbandry since 1976, vide G.O.(Rt) No. 2046/1976/A.D.

  • From 1997 onwards, the scheme was extended to all fourteen districts in the State with the active participation of Milk Producers’ Co-operative Societies.

  • Since 2001, the scheme has been implemented with financial contribution from Local Self Governments, vide G.O.(MS) No. 11/2001/AD dated 20.01.2001.

  • From 2014 onwards, a State-sponsored component of the scheme, namely Govardhini, has also been implemented.

Objectives

  • To reduce the age at which a newborn crossbred calf attains the milk production stage.

  • To achieve early attainment of puberty, first conception, and first calving through scientific management practices.

  • To ensure adequate nutrition through quality feed, comprehensive healthcare support, and insurance coverage against unforeseen losses.

Major Activities

Selection:
Healthy crossbred female calves aged between 4 and 6 months are selected from the calf birth registers maintained by Veterinary Institutions under the jurisdiction of Local Self Governments.

Enrollment and Insurance Coverage:
Selected calves are enrolled under the scheme and provided with insurance coverage up to 32 months of age.

Training and Extension Activities:
Beneficiaries are provided with one-day training programmes on scientific calf rearing practices, focusing on nutrition, management, and disease prevention.

Feed Distribution:
Each enrolled calf receives high-quality cattle feed every month through selected Milk Co-operative Societies at a 50% subsidized rate. Feed handling charges, feed commission, and managerial subsidies are provided to the participating milk societies.

Follow-up and Monitoring:
Calves are periodically monitored for growth and reproductive performance. Dewormers, mineral mixtures, and vaccinations are provided at prescribed intervals.

Financial Assistance

The total financial assistance currently provided under the scheme is limited to ₹12,500 per calf, with an equal contribution of ₹12,500 from the beneficiary.
On an average, around 50,000 calves are enrolled under the scheme every year, for which approximately ₹40 crore of Plan funds are utilized annually.

Revamping of the Scheme – Digital SLBP (D-SLBP)

In view of the rising feed costs and the need to extend support during the milk-feeding phase, the Department has decided to revamp the SLBP as the Digital Special Livestock Breeding Programme (D-SLBP) by incorporating digital tools for implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.

The revamped D-SLBP will be implemented through the Special Livestock Breeding Programme (SLBP) module integrated into the e-Samrudha software platform.

Salient Features of D-SLBP

  • The total unit cost per calf under the scheme is ₹60,000, with 50% financial assistance (₹30,000) provided by the Government.

  • Financial incentives will be provided to farmers through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) based on the growth and performance of the calves.

  • Calves listed in the e-Samrudha Calf Birth Register will be selected and verified by A-HELPs / Livestock Inspectors.

  • All enrolled calves will be insured from 4 to 28 months of age.

  • Farmers will be trained on all aspects of scientific calf rearing and management.

  • Calves will receive monthly feed supplied by KCMMF or KFL, distributed through milk societies.

  • Feed and milk incentives will be directly transferred to farmers’ bank accounts, subject to achievement of predefined growth and reproductive benchmarks.

  • Reproductive milestones will be strictly monitored to ensure first calving by 25 months of age.

Pilot Implementation

A pilot phase of the D-SLBP will be launched in Pathanamthitta District during the financial year 2025–26, covering 800 calves, as per G.O.(Rt) No. 630/2025/AHD dated 23.10.2025.

Upon successful completion and evaluation of the pilot phase, the scheme will be rolled out statewide, thereby establishing a fully digitized, performance-linked livestock development model for Kerala.