Maharashtra Govt Transfers ₹7.33 Crore In Grazing Grants To 3,054 Shepherds' Bank Accounts
Mumbai: In a major move to support nomadic shepherd communities, the Maharashtra government has deposited Rs 7.33 crore directly into the bank accounts of 3,054 beneficiaries as part of its annual grazing grant scheme for the 2024–25 period. The financial assistance was disbursed under the initiative led by the Punyashlok Ahilyadevi Maharashtra Mendhi and Goat Development Corporation, according to the office of Animal Husbandry Minister Pankaja Munde.
The grant targets shepherds from nomadic tribes, including the Bhaj-K category, Dhangar, and other similar communities. These families traditionally engage in fully migratory sheep herding, a livelihood that faces challenges especially during the monsoon season when grazing lands become inaccessible. Between June and September, shepherds return to their native villages, but scarcity of grazing areas during this period often results in poor sheep health and economic losses.
To address this seasonal vulnerability, the Animal Husbandry Department, in coordination with the Department of Other Backward Class Welfare, implements the grazing grant scheme. Under the program, selected shepherd families receive Rs 6,000 per month for four months, amounting to Rs 24,000 per household.
Applications for the scheme were invited through an online process and beneficiaries were chosen via a computerized lottery system to ensure fair distribution across districts and talukas. “This financial aid is a step toward improving the livelihood and economic stability of traditional shepherd families,” said Minister Munde.
Managing Director of the Corporation, Dr. Shitalkumar Mukane, noted that the initiative has not only contributed to improved sheep health but has also led to increased incomes for the beneficiary families. He added that direct benefit transfers (DBT) have ensured transparency and timely disbursement of funds. Secretary of the Animal Husbandry Department, Dr. Ramaswami N, was closely involved in the monitoring and execution of the scheme.
The Rs 7.33 crore disbursal stands as a reaffirmation of the state’s commitment to the welfare of marginalized pastoral communities, providing them with vital support during a critical season in their agricultural cycle. The scheme is expected to continue as a recurring lifeline for shepherds in the years to come.
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