India’s big push to milk production: Cabinet approves this much for dairy farming

In a major push to India’s dairy industry, the cabinet has approved the allocation of Rs 4,460 crore for dairy farming. Cabinet has approved Rs 4,458 crore scheme to boost the dairy sector and the same will benefit 95 lakh farmers of the country, Prakash Javadekar, I&B minister, told reporters at a briefing. Under this, 28,000 bulk milk coolers and capacity for chilling 140 lakh litre additional milk per day will also be added. Among other announcements for dairy farmers, the minister said that the government has decided to increase the interest subvention from earlier 2% to 2.5%. Interest Subvention is a subsidy provided to farmers on the interest rates on loans through the Kisan Credit Card (KCC) scheme.
The government has been focusing on the dairy sector and recently, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the government will double the country’s milk processing capacity by 2025. Presenting the Union Budget 2020, she also announced a special rail and flight project for easy transportation of perishable farmer goods such as milk.
Recently, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying said that it has been the continuous endeavours of the government to increase milk productivity. The same will be done via genetic improvement and reduction of input cost, the department said in a statement . The government has also launched special programmes for enhancing the quality of milk in the country. “It is proposed to further intensify the Quality Milk Programme for both cooperative and private sector with fund sharing basis,” the statement added.
India is a highly milk dependent country and the government aims to attract private investment in the sector to aid the dairy industry. The same is expected to enhance productivity and quality of milk and milk products. The department also aims to increase the competitiveness and profitability in the dairy sector with private investments so that it also supports rural income and jobs.

Source : financialexpress