October 23, 2007

India's Uttar Pradesh to set up breeder farms to boost milk production

India's government in Uttar Pradesh state is launching a 'breeder farm'and 'dairy development' campaign to develop new and better breeds of cattle in hopes of doubling its milk production in the coming decade. 

Stagnant milk production has prompted the state to embark on the projects, India's Business Standard reported. Despite rising cattle numbers and daires, the state's milk production has remained at 2.5 million litres a day.

The state's budgetary allocation for livestock and dairy will also tripled from Rs 550 crore (US$138.52 million) this year to about Rs 1,500 crore (US$377.8 million) next year in support of the dairy development and breeder farm projects. 

Uttar Pradesh is one of the most important states for livestock in India, Awadhpal Singh Yadav, minister of state told Business Standard.

He added that although the state still excelled in milk production in the country, it could not maintain this position for long without quality milch cattle and stagnant production. 

Under the 'breeder farmer' project, farmers would be selected to run animal breeding farms using the 'Sahiwal' breed of cows, which will be provided to them at 25 percent subsidy.

Livestock produced by them would be purchased by the state government and distributed to dairies with up to 200 heads of cattle.

According to the minister, a few animal breeder farms will become operational next year, along with three embryo transplant laboratories.