'Vetri Magalir Goat Rearing Scheme': ₹109.75 crore sanctioned – five goats/sheep each to 30,000 rural beneficiaries at 100% subsidy

1 November 2026 · English Tamil Nadu

Topics: Tamil Nadu · 1 November 2026 Current Affairs (UPSC / TNPSC / SSC / RRB)

News

The Tamil Nadu Government issued an order giving administrative and financial sanction of ₹109.75 crore for the 'Vetri Magalir Goat Rearing Scheme', announced by Finance Minister N. Marie Wilson in the 2026–27 Revised Budget (Aug 2026) (reported 31 Oct 2026). About 30,000 eligible people in rural areas – destitute widows, deserted women, transgender women and men, and persons with disabilities – will each get five goats or sheep at 100% subsidy (free).

Key facts

Background

• Economy: goat rearing is a low-investment livelihood possible even on dry land; goats turn poor grazing into meat, which is why the goat is called the 'poor man's cow'.
• Research institutes: ICAR–Central Institute for Research on Goats (CIRG) – Makhdoom, Mathura (UP); Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute – Avikanagar (Rajasthan); National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR) – Karnal.
• Science: Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR – 'goat plague') is a viral disease of goats and sheep; FAO and WOAH aim to eradicate it globally by 2030. Vaccination against livestock diseases is a key task of the Animal Husbandry Department.

Tamil Nadu link: Tamil Nadu's native goat breeds – Kanni Adu (Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Virudhunagar), Kodi Adu, Salem Black; sheep breed – Mecheri (Salem). A free milch cow and goat scheme for rural women was launched in 2011.

Source: Daily Thanthi, Oneindia Tamil, Vikatan – 31 Oct 2026; DT Next (5 Aug 2026, Budget); FAO AGRIS (Kanni Adu)

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