Govt hails farmers for making India a global leader in milk production

New Delhi: In his remarks at the World Milk Day Celebration held in New Delhi, the Union Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Minister, Mr Radha Mohan Singh stated that it is a matter of pride that India has been leading the world in milk production and all this is due to the hard work of our farmers. “In comparison to 2010-14 milk production in the country has increased by 23.69 percent during the period 2014-18 (taking projected figures of milk production for 2017-18). Annual increase in milk production is 6.3 percent during the period 2014-18 while annual increase in milk production during the period 2010-14 was 4 percent,” he said.

Agriculture Minister further stated that during the last four years under Rashtriya Gokul Mission 20 Gokul Grams have been sanctioned and out of this 3 have been completed and work is under progress at remaining 17 gokul grams. Two National Kamdhenu Breeding Centres one in southern India in Andhra Pradesh at Chintaladevi and other in northern India in Madhya Pradesh at Itarsi are being established. Work at AP has been completed and work is under progress at Itarsi MP.

Mr Singh mentioned that as on date 1831 bulls have been produced and out of this 1752 bulls have been inducted at semen stations. Similarly 26 semen stations have been strengthened and their semen production capacity has increased to 150 million doses per annum. In order to enhance productivity using semen of elite bulls 5046 AI technicians (MAITRIs) have been trained and established in villages.

Minister also revealed that 9 crore milch animals are being identified by UID for which suitable funds have already been released by the Central Government. There is also a provision of providing Nakul Swasthaya Patra to the animals under the scheme. So far one Crore animals have already been identified till date.

“Under advanced reproductive techniques, 20 Embryo Transfer centres are being established against which proposals for 18 centres have been approved. 10 semen centres have been identified for production of Sex Sorted Semen. Two proposals have been sanctioned. With this more female animals would be produced that would help in raising milk production farmers income,” said Mr Singh.

He also informed that the E Pashu Haat Portal has been developed and a till date on e pashu haat portal total of 7.63 Crore Semen doses has been produced, 5.57 Crore semen doses have been sold and information about 80,059 Live Animals is available on the portal.

“Dairy Entrepreneurship Development Scheme has a provision to provide financial assistance for generating self-employment opportunities in various activities. Under the scheme, 3,30,125 dairy units have been set up so far for which Rs. 1338.31 crore subsidy has been provided by the Government of India. It has benefited about 6.60 lakh beneficiaries,” mentioned Mr Singh.