(1) Support to Training and Employment Programme for Women (STEP)

To improve the socio economic conditions of poor rural women belongs to SC/ST, asset less women and Self-Help-Group, the Government of India sponsored "STEP" Scheme at a total cost of Rs.649.464 lakh, with 90% Government of India share of Rs.584.518 Lakhs and the balance 10% share of Rs.64.946 Lakhs to be met by the implementing Agency. The period of the scheme is 3 years from 2002 to 2005 and further extended to March 2008, with an objective to identify Self-Help-Group women who are interested in Dairy Sector, for organizing exclusive Women Dairy Cooperative societies and to provide Training and employment opportunities by arranging milch animals loans and to collect milk from them.

This Scheme is implemented in 7 District Cooperative Milk Producers' Unions viz. Salem, Erode, Dharmapuri, Vellore, Villupuram, Coimbatore and Trichy comprising of 13 Revenue Districts. Through this scheme 145 Women Dairy Cooperative Societies were organized. These societies were provided with animal health cover, Artificial Insemination cover supply of balanced Cattle Feed, fodder production, vaccination programme, Managerial subsidy, milk chilling cost, milk commission and margin money to the members for the purchase of milch animals. At the end of the scheme 10000 women would have been trained on the principles of Cooperative law, Artificial insemination and First-aid to Cattle, Farmers induction programme, Dairy Animal Management, use of milk testing equipments, defection of adulteration in milk etc., In addition to this, the Women Dairy Cooperative Societies are provided with infrastructure facilities.

The Federation and District Coop. Milk Producers; Union ensure market for all the milk produced by the beneficiaries under this scheme through out the year at remunerative price in order to make the project viable.

The targeted 145 Women Dairy Cooperative Societies have been organized and enrolled 10150 women members. The average milk procurement from STEP societies are 26283 litres per day with an average income of Rs.60/- per day per beneficiary.

With the implementation of STEP scheme the average income of beneficiary will be enhanced from Rs.7000/- per year to rs.20000/- per year at the end of this project.

(2) Intensive Dairy Development Programme

Government of India have accorded sanction for Rs.312.15 lakhs to Sivagangai District Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union as full grant to implement ‘Intensive Dairy Development Programme’ in Sivagangai and Ramanathapuram Districts. First year grant of Rs.55.45 Lakh was received and utilized. Second year (2006-2007) grant of Rs.102.14 Lakh has been received and being utilised by the union.

Under this programme, funds have been sanctioned to unions to improve milk procurement, milk sales, creation of infrastructure required for milk processing and marketing, extension of input activities, manpower development in districts for a period of five years.

During the year 2006-2007, GOI accorded administrative approval for the implementation of ‘Intensive Dairy Development Programme’ in Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari DCMPUs for a total outlay of Rs.554.06 Lakhs and Rs.291.77 Lakhs respectively. Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi and Kanyakumari Districts will be benefited under this scheme.

The first year grant of Rs.49.83 Lakh was received and being utilised by Kanyakumari union. The first year grant of Rs.204.50 Lakh for Tirunelveli union is in the process of release.

Besides, a proposal for Rs.899.875 Lakh has also been sent to Govt. of India to avail financial assistance to improve dairy development activities in Thanjavur milk union.