Uttar Pradesh invests ₹2,100 crore to turn cow shelters into rural economic hubs
The Uttar Pradesh government has allocated Rs 2,100 crore to strengthen cow protection and rural development. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s administration is expanding cow shelters while linking them to organic farming and employment schemes. The move aims to transform cattle care into a sustainable economic activity across the state. Under the new initiative, the government will develop nearly 7,500 existing cow shelters into Organic Fertilizer Production Centres. Each cow generates around 5 litres of urine and 10 kilograms of dung daily, materials that will be repurposed for natural farming. Women self-help groups and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) will manage these shelters, ensuring local involvement.
Construction is already underway for 155 large cow protection centres, with plans to establish at least one in every district. Currently, around 12.5 lakh cattle are housed in these facilities. The government has also distributed over 1.8 lakh cattle to 1.25 lakh livestock rearers under the Mukhyamantri Sahbhagita Yojana, promoting self-reliance among farmers. The scheme ties cow protection to broader goals: boosting farmers’ income, expanding natural farming, empowering women, and creating rural jobs. Officials describe the project as a model for integrating animal welfare with economic growth in Uttar Pradesh.
The Rs 2,100 crore investment will fund both shelter upgrades and large-scale cow protection hubs. By converting cattle waste into organic fertiliser, the state expects to strengthen rural livelihoods. The programme’s success will depend on continued participation from local farmers and self-help groups.
