AHIDF — Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund
By Dept of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD)
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Quick Answer
3% interest subvention on loans up to ₹50 crore for dairy, meat and animal feed infrastructure
- Funding amount
- Varies
- Funding type
- Subsidy
- Application deadline
- Rolling
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
About this subsidy
₹29,610 crore fund providing 3% interest subvention on loans for: dairy processing & value-addition, meat processing, animal feed plants, breed improvement labs. Loan coverage up to ₹50 crore per project. 90% loan from bank, 10% promoter contribution. Loan tenure up to 8 years with a 2-year moratorium.
Eligibility
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Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Sign up to view.
Subsidy providers
The Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD), under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, is the Government of India's nodal department for the livestock and dairy sectors — vital contributors to rural incomes and India's position as the world's largest…
Learn moreBenefits & Funding
What You Get
AHIDF provides a 3% per annum interest subvention on bank loans of up to ₹50 crore per project, effectively lowering the cost of capital for animal husbandry infrastructure. The loan structure requires 90% bank financing and 10% promoter equity; the government reimburses the 3% interest differential directly to the lender. Loan tenure is up to 8 years with a 2-year moratorium, improving project cash flows during the construction and ramp-up phase. The scheme is non-dilutive — no equity stake is taken. The total fund corpus is ₹29,610 crore, providing large-scale programme coverage.
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Applications
Rolling basis
Application Process
- 1
Prepare a DPR for the dairy
Prepare a DPR for the dairy / meat / feed processing unit with project cost and plant & machinery details.
You - 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
See the questions before you start
Download every question this programme's application form asks, so you can prepare your answers offline before opening the portal.
- 2
Line up your documents
Keep every document from the checklist ready in one folder. Missing docs are the #1 reason applications get bounced.
- 3
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 4
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for AHIDF?
Individual entrepreneurs, private companies, MSMEs, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and cooperatives investing in dairy processing, meat processing, poultry, aquaculture or animal feed manufacturing are eligible. Primary farm-level milk production does not qualify.
What is the interest subvention available?
AHIDF provides a 3% interest subvention on bank loans, reducing the effective cost of borrowing for eligible projects. The loan coverage is up to ₹50 crore per project, with the bank financing 90% and the promoter contributing 10%.
What is the loan tenure?
Loans under AHIDF have a tenure of up to 8 years, including a 2-year moratorium period during which only interest (net of subvention) is payable.
Is equity taken by the government?
No. The scheme provides interest subvention only — it is non-dilutive. The loan is from a scheduled commercial bank or NABARD; the government reimburses the 3% interest differential directly to the lending institution.
What projects are eligible for funding?
Dairy processing and value-addition plants, meat and poultry processing units, animal feed manufacturing plants, and breed improvement / veterinary labs qualify. Cold chain, packaging and quality testing infrastructure linked to these activities also qualify.
How do I apply?
Applications are submitted through the DAHD online portal at dahd.nic.in. A Detailed Project Report (DPR) is required. The bank appraises the project and, on sanction, registers it under AHIDF to activate the subvention.
