Lucknow, Feb. 10 -- Citing limited coverage under the existing central livestock insurance framework, Uttar Pradesh is set to launch its own state livestock insurance scheme.

The animal husbandry department has sought a likely allocation of Rs.287 crore for the new scheme in the state budget to be tabled on February 11, officials said.

The move aims to bring all categories of livestock, barring poultry, under insurance cover, a goal that remains difficult under the Centre's demand-driven scheme.

"While UP has over 6 crore livestock population, the largest in the country, under the Central government's scheme only around 6 lakh animals are able to get insurance coverage," a senior official said.

"To overcome this limitation, the state ...