Government Scheme for Cattle Rearing | Chief Minister Destitute Cow Participation Scheme: Uttar Pradesh govt. has initiated the UP Sahbhagita Yojana 2026, also known as the Chief Minister Destitute Cow Participation Scheme. Through this state-run program, individuals who adopt a stray animal receive a monthly stipend of Rs. 900. This initiative addresses the overcrowding in state-run animal shelters. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has set a target to facilitate the adoption of 1 lakh cattle by the public. The government will directly deposit the monthly maintenance fee into the bank accounts of those who provide a home for the cattle.
Every adopted animal will be fitted with an ear tag for identification under this CM Destitute Cow Participation Scheme. The policy follows public outcry in 2019, when farmers protested against stray cattle causing damage to their crops, a situation that emerged after the enforcement of the state's cattle slaughter ban.
Following incidents where farmers confined stray livestock in public schools and government buildings, the state administration ordered the establishment of new cow shelters in every district. Currently, the UP government provides a maintenance allowance of Rs. 30 per day per animal to these shelters.
UP Sahbhagita Yojana 2026 - Chief Minister Destitute Cow Participation Scheme
To mark Gopashtami on November 22, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath distributed cows to 11 families with malnourished children under the Sahbhagita Yojana. Through this collaborative scheme, the state provides a monthly stipend of Rs. 900 to those who care for the cattle. Officials stated that this initiative serves the dual purpose of protecting livestock and improving the nutritional status of vulnerable children.
Implementation of the CM Destitute Cow Participation Scheme
Over 66,000 cows have been allocated under the program, with 1,071 animals provided specifically to 1,069 families of malnourished children. During an event at a cattle shelter in Mirzapur, CM Adityanath emphasized that the initiative is dedicated to securing a brighter future for both society and the nation.
"This scheme is essential for the collective progress of our society. We have established a framework where abandoned cows are relocated to shelters, and any farmer willing to adopt one receives Rs. 900 monthly for maintenance. The effectiveness of this system will undergo monthly evaluations," he stated.