DIDF — Dairy Processing & Infrastructure Development Fund

The Dairy Processing & Infrastructure Development Fund (DIDF) is a ₹10,881 crore fund operated through NABARD that provides low-interest loans to dairy cooperatives, milk unions, dairy producer companies, and state dairy federations. These loans are offered at 3% below the prevailing NABARD refinance rate, making capital more affordable for modernising dairy processing plants, expanding cold chains, upgrading milk procurement infrastructure, and setting up quality testing laboratories. The fund specifically targets cooperative and producer-company dairy infrastructure, helping the sector improve efficiency and reduce post-harvest losses.

• Concessional loans at 3% below NABARD refinance rate
• ₹10,881 crore corpus for dairy cooperative infrastructure
• Eligible borrowers: dairy cooperatives, milk unions, producer companies, state dairy federations
• Funds can be used for processing plants, cold chains, procurement networks, and quality labs
• Non-dilutive debt financing – no equity taken

DIDF loans are available exclusively to dairy cooperatives, milk unions, dairy producer companies, and state dairy federations. Private dairy companies are not eligible. Borrowers must be engaged in milk procurement, processing, or distribution and must submit a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for infrastructure investment.

DIDF — Dairy Processing & Infrastructure Development Fund is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.

DIDF — Dairy Processing & Infrastructure Development Fund accepts applications on a rolling basis — there is no fixed cut-off date, so eligible startups can apply at any time. Because rolling programmes can pause without notice, confirm the window is still open on the official site before you start.

DIDF provides concessional loans at 3% below the prevailing NABARD refinance rate from a ₹10,881 crore corpus managed through NABARD. The reduced interest rate materially lowers the cost of capital for dairy infrastructure investment — modernising processing plants, expanding cold chains, upgrading milk procurement networks, and setting up quality testing laboratories. Loan repayment is required (this is debt, not a grant), but the below-market rate and NABARD's longer repayment tenures improve project viability. No equity is taken by the government or NABARD.

DIDF — Dairy Processing & Infrastructure Development Fund is offered by NABARD, a government body. As a government-backed debt / loan, it is publicly funded and open to eligible startups across India. You can verify current details and timelines on the provider's official website before applying.

Before you apply to DIDF — Dairy Processing & Infrastructure Development Fund, keep the following documents ready:

• A pitch deck or short business plan describing the problem, product and traction
• Company registration documents and PAN
• Founder identification (PAN / Aadhaar) and brief profiles
• Recent financial statements or projections
• Product details — a demo, prototype or working link if available

Exact requirements are confirmed on the official application portal — treat this as a preparation checklist.