Ksheera Sanjeevini Scheme: Monthly Income for Women and Interest-Free Loan for Dairy Farming

Rural women have always played a silent yet powerful role in strengthening the social and economic fabric of villages. Recognizing this, the Government of Karnataka launched a unique welfare and livelihood initiative known as the Ksheera Sanjeevini Scheme. This scheme is jointly implemented by the Karnataka State Rural Livelihood Promotion Society (KSRLPS) and the Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF), with the vision of empowering women through dairy farming.

The program not only creates a steady monthly income of up to ₹3,500 for women but also offers interest-free loans up to ₹46,000 for purchasing cows. The scheme is particularly targeted at women from economically weaker and marginalized sections, including Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), backward classes, and minority communities.

In this article, let us explore the objectives, benefits, eligibility, implementation process, and application details of the Ksheera Sanjeevini Scheme in detail.

What is the Ksheera Sanjeevini Scheme?

The Ksheera Sanjeevini Scheme is a rural livelihood program designed to create sustainable income opportunities for women through dairy farming. It aims to promote women dairy cooperative societies across Karnataka, providing financial support, training, and resources related to cattle care and milk production.

Originally launched in 2014, the scheme has gone through multiple phases and is now running successfully in its third phase. The target is to ensure a stable livelihood for at least 10,000 rural women across the state.

Core Objectives of the Scheme

The scheme is not just about dairy farming but about women’s empowerment and financial independence. Its primary objectives include:

• Women Empowerment – Enable rural women, especially from marginalized backgrounds, to become financially independent.
• Formation of Cooperatives – Establish at least 250 women-led dairy cooperative societies across Karnataka.
• Monthly Income Generation – Provide women an opportunity to earn ₹3,000 to ₹3,500 net income per month through dairy activities.
• Employment Opportunities – Generate direct jobs for rural women in dairy farming and related services.
• Training and Capacity Building – Offer guidance on cattle management, fodder production, veterinary care, and insurance.

Key Benefits of Ksheera Sanjeevini

The scheme has been designed in such a way that both financial and technical support are provided to beneficiaries. Some of the notable benefits include:

1. Interest-Free Loan for Cow Purchase

Eligible women can avail an interest-free loan of up to ₹46,000 to purchase cows. This ensures that women can start dairy farming without falling into the trap of high-interest debts.

2. Assured Monthly Income

Through the cooperative model, women are expected to earn ₹3,000 to ₹3,500 per month, ensuring a reliable and recurring income.

3. Training Programs

Special training sessions are conducted to educate women about:

• Modern dairy practices
• Cattle health management
• Balanced fodder preparation
• Milk collection, storage, and marketing

4. Livestock Health and Insurance

The scheme ensures veterinary care, vaccination, and livestock insurance, protecting farmers from unexpected losses due to cattle diseases.

5. Formation of Dairy Cooperatives

Over 250 women-run dairy societies will be established, bringing collective bargaining power, better milk marketing, and peer support.

6. Financial Support for Societies

Government grants and subsidies are provided for infrastructure, society operations, and expansion.

Implementation Structure

The scheme is being implemented across all districts of Karnataka through the 250 women dairy cooperative societies. Each cooperative is expected to consist of 40 women members, and together, these societies will empower 10,000 women.

• KSRLPS – Provides major financial support and ensures smooth functioning of cooperatives.
• KMF – Offers technical expertise, milk collection networks, veterinary support, and marketing assistance.

This dual partnership model ensures both financial strength and operational efficiency.

Eligibility Criteria

Not every individual is eligible to benefit from this scheme. The government has defined specific criteria:

1. The applicant must be a woman.
2. She should belong to one of the following categories:
   • Backward Classes (BCs)
   • Scheduled Castes (SCs)
   • Scheduled Tribes (STs)
   • Minority communities
   • Families living below the poverty line (BPL)
3. The woman should be a member of a KMF cooperative society.
4. Final selection of beneficiaries is done through KMF surveys and verification.

Related Dairy Supportive Schemes in Karnataka

Along with the Ksheera Sanjeevini Scheme, the Karnataka government has launched several other initiatives to strengthen the dairy sector:

• Milk Incentive Scheme – A subsidy of ₹5 per liter is given to farmers who supply milk to cooperative societies.
• Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Subsidy – Farmers can avail loans under KCC with 2% interest subsidy, and an additional 3% subsidy for timely repayment.
• Ksheeradhare Scheme – Implemented by KMF, this scheme focuses on improving milk production, marketing efficiency, and overall profitability of dairy farming.

Application Process

The Ksheera Sanjeevini Scheme does not accept individual applications directly. Instead, it operates through cooperative societies.

• Interested women must become members of their local KMF dairy cooperative society.
• Once enrolled, they can be nominated and selected by the cooperative group in coordination with KSRLPS and KMF.
• For more details, beneficiaries can approach the nearest KMF office or their local dairy cooperative.

Why the Scheme Matters

The Ksheera Sanjeevini Scheme is not just about financial support—it is a pathway to empowerment. It brings:

• Economic Freedom – Women no longer have to depend solely on irregular wages or seasonal employment.
• Social Recognition – Participation in cooperatives gives women leadership roles and decision-making power.
• Rural Development – When women prosper, entire families benefit, leading to healthier children, better education, and reduced poverty.
• Sustainability – Dairy farming is a renewable and continuous source of income, unlike one-time financial assistance.

Application Link

Conclusion

The Ksheera Sanjeevini Scheme stands as a model for women-led rural development. By combining interest-free loans, cooperative societies, training, and veterinary support, the scheme ensures that women not only earn but also gain dignity, confidence, and long-term stability.

Thousands of rural women have already begun transforming their lives through this initiative, and its success highlights the power of collective action and government-community partnerships.

For any rural woman in Karnataka who dreams of self-reliance and financial security, this scheme opens the doors to a brighter future.