September 18, 2024

Odisha, India, develops new scheme to drive milk production

Odisha, India Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on September 13 announced the government has formulated a new scheme, Mukhyamantri Kamadhenu Yojana, with an outlay of ₹1,423.47 crore (US$171.98 million) to boost milk production in the state.

Addressing the inaugural session of the Monsoon Meet 2024 for animal husbandry and dairy sector at the convention centre of Lok Seva Bhawan, Majhi said under the programme, the government will assist in establishing small dairy units, subsidised calf feed, increasing coverage under livestock insurance and strengthening dairy cooperatives over a period of the next five years.

"The MoU signed with National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) in this regard will strengthen the state's milk cooperatives and boost milk production," he said. "We are also collaborating with the NDDB to set up a vaccine production unit at Berhampur and a state-of-the-art feed analytical laboratory at Bhubaneswar."

Noting that animal husbandry and dairy sectors are vital for India's food security, rural development, and economic growth, Majhi said the dairy sector alone contributes significantly to the national economy, with India being the world's largest milk producer.

- The New Indian Express