Govt to Strengthen Dairy Infrastructure to Improve Farmer Income

 For about 15 years, India continues to be the largest producer of milk in the world and likely to retain its prime position with annual growth rate of 5.53 per cent for last three years as against global milk production, which is growing at 2.09 per cent.

The Economic Times reports that Indian milk has increased to 163.7 million tonnes in 2016-17 from around 17-22 million tonnes in the 1960s, said the Agriculture ministry in a press statement. It increased by 19 per cent during 2016-17 in comparison to 2013-14. It increased the per capita availability of milk by 14.3 per cent to 351 gram in 2016-17 from 307 gram in 2013-14.

"It is necessary to gradually shift towards a technology-driven environment. To achieve the same, Department of Animal husbandry, dairy and fisheries is working on a National Action Plan Vision 2022 where suitable provisions are being made to build additional milk processing infrastructure for processing additional volume of milk expected on account of higher production and meeting the increased demand for value-added products," said Agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh while addressing consultative committee meeting on dairy development on Thursday.

He discussed ongoing dairy development projects such as the National Dairy Plan Phase I (NDP I), National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD) and Dairy Entrepreneurship Development Scheme (DEDS).

According to Mr Singh, the dairy sector provides livelihoods and security net to the landless and marginal farmers with seven crore rural households are engaged in dairying in India. Meanwhile, consumer interest in high protein diets is increasing and growing awareness and availability of value-added dairy products.

Mr Singh estimated that value-added products offer 20 per cent higher revenue to farmers and its share is estimated to increase to 30 per cent by 2021-22 from 20 per cent today.

The National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) is implementing NDP I through state cooperative milk organisations. NPDD is being implemented through the state government through the co-operative milk organizations of the concerned state.

The dairy entrepreneurship scheme is being implemented by National Agricultural and Rural Development Bank through the state government through nationalized banks at the district level.

TheCattleSite News Desk