March 17, 2011

India settles National Dairy Plan with states

The Indian government is consulting with state governments on completing the National Dairy Plan (NDP), which targets 180 million tonnes of milk output by 2021-22.

"Consulation with state government is in progress for finalisation of NDP-Phase 1," the Minister of state for Agriculture and Food Processing Arun Yadav said.

The NDP phase-1, prepared by National Dairy Development Board, is a multi-state initiative to increase productivity of milch animals and thereby increase milk production to meet the growing demand, he said.

The minister said the government envisages to increase the share of organised sector in milk from the current 30% to about 65% of total marketable surplus of milk by year 2021-22.

The International Development Association (IDA) may provide grant-in-aid for implementation of NDP, he added.

India, being the world's largest milk producer, is resorted to milk powder import this year to meet the rising domestic demand and contain prices, which have increased 20% in retail markets in the last one year.