In a major boost to local farming and border economy, 253 livestock farmers from four border districts of Uttarakhand have collectively earned ₹2.6 crore in the past five months by supplying fresh mutton, chicken, and fish directly to Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) battalions stationed in remote high-altitude regions.
This remarkable turnaround comes after Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami directed the Animal Husbandry Department to establish a direct procurement system in October 2024. The aim: strengthen border economies, ensure fresher supplies for soldiers, and reduce rural migration.
A Game-Changing Partnership
Under a formal contract signed on October 30, 2024, farmers from Pithoragarh, Chamoli, Uttarkashi, and Champawat—organized through 10 cooperative societies and farmer producer organizations (FPOs)—now supply directly to nearby ITBP battalions.
In the first five months:
- 42,748 kg of live sheep and goats
- 29,407 kg of chicken
- 7,374 kg of trout fish
were delivered to ITBP units across the region.
The initiative not only ensures better nutrition for jawans but also fosters local economic growth.
Timely Payments & Transparent Transactions
Dr. B.V.R.C. Purushottam, Secretary of the Animal Husbandry Department, confirmed that farmers receive payments via DBT within 24 hours of supply, backed by a ₹5 crore revolving fund.
With projections estimating the supply of 800 metric tonnes annually, the total expected turnover stands at ₹20 crore, promising transformative impact for marginal farmers.
Voices from the Hills
Narendra Prasad of Baralu village (Moonakot block), who took up poultry farming in 2022-23, now supplies 16 quintals of chicken monthly, three quintals of which go to the ITBP.
“The scheme has secured my income and helped stabilize our lives,” he said.
Prakash Kohli, another resident from Devdar village, supplied 11 quintals of goat meat since January 2025 and earned ₹50,000, inspiring him to expand into Goat Valley, a state-supported animal husbandry cluster.
CM Dhami’s Vision
Chief Minister Dhami hailed the scheme as a “win-win” for border security and local sustainability:
“This will not only strengthen our border villages but also fortify our soldiers with the freshest supplies. The scheme is reducing migration and creating new livelihoods,” he said.