The Government of Kerala on February 02, 2026, issued notification on Equivalence of DFE and SPF Courses with NSQF Livestock Management Courses.
The earlier NSQF order clarified that the Dairy Farmer Entrepreneur (DFE) and Small Poultry Farmer (SPF) courses could not be treated as equivalent to the Vocational Higher Secondary Education (VHSE) qualification in Livestock Management. However, these courses, along with the Dairy Processing Equipment Operator course, were allowed to be included under the Livestock Management stream.
A petition was later submitted stating that the Livestock Management (LSM) course existed in VHSE until 2019, after which it was restructured under the National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) into DFE and SPF courses. The petitioner argued that since these courses replaced LSM, they should be considered equivalent. It was also highlighted that students who completed DFE/SPF courses were included in PSC selection lists but were not being appointed due to lack of equivalence recognition.
The Director of General Education conducted a detailed comparative study of the old Livestock Management courses and the NSQF-based DFE and SPF courses. The study found that the curricula were largely similar, with only minor differences. It was suggested that these gaps could be addressed through On-the-Job Training (OJT) and guidance from subject experts.
After examining the matter, the government accepted the findings of the report and issued an order declaring that the Dairy Farmer Entrepreneur (DFE) and Small Poultry Farmer (SPF) courses are equivalent to the NSQF Livestock Management (Dairy Husbandry) and Livestock Management (Poultry Husbandry) courses.
[Notification No. G.U.(General) No.1009/2026/GEDN]
