Bhubaneswar, Oct 9: The Odisha government has launched the Commercial Layer Farming Scheme (CLFY), offering subsidies of up to Rs 10 crore to establish modern automated poultry farms.

The initiative aims to boost egg production in the state and achieve an annual output of 1,000 crore eggs by 2036.

Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Minister Gokulananda Mallik inaugurated the scheme during a programme organised by the department at the Veterinary Training Institute in Bhubaneswar to mark World Egg Day 2026.

Under the scheme, financial assistance will be provided for setting up automated commercial layer and pullet farms with a capacity of more than 25,000 birds. The initiative also includes an advance subsidy mechanism through a ‘Mirror Account’ to ease the interest burden on bank loans taken by entrepreneurs.

The scheme is intended to meet Odisha’s growing egg demand while encouraging investment and entrepreneurship in the poultry sector, Mallik said.

Odisha currently produces around 1.12 crore eggs daily through 189 commercial layer farms, semi-commercial farms and backyard poultry units. The state aims to increase annual per capita egg availability from the present 87 to the national average of 106 by 2029. It also plans to secure a position among the country’s top five egg-producing states.

Mallik said the government was extending financial assistance across various categories of poultry farming to accelerate production and strengthen the sector.

Under the Animal Resources Enrichment Scheme, 100 per cent financial assistance is being provided to 43,000 beneficiaries for backyard poultry farming during 2026-27. The government is also offering financial assistance of up to Rs 2.64 lakh for duck rearing.

For semi-commercial layer farms with capacities ranging from 1,000 to 4,000 birds, financial assistance of 50 to 60 per cent is available, subject to a maximum of Rs 19.74 lakh. Entrepreneurs establishing large-scale layer farms can also receive assistance of up to Rs 1 crore under the Mukhya Mantri Krushi Udyog Yojana.

The minister said these initiatives, taken together, were expected to substantially increase egg production and help the state achieve its targets under Odisha Vision-2036.

Over the past two-and-a-half years, the state government has provided approximately Rs 512 crore in financial assistance to poultry farmers and entrepreneurs for establishing broiler and layer farms, Mallik said.