Govt Looks to Strengthen Dairy Infrastructure

INDIA - Keeping in mind the growing demand of milk in India, the government has submitted a proposal for availing loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for creating\strengthening dairy infrastructure across the country. The total outlay of the proposal is Rs 20,057 crores (1 crore = approx. US$15.5 million).
calendar icon 11 July 2017
clock icon 2 minute read

The Times of India reports that besides meeting the growing demand of milk which is estimated to be in the range of 200-210 million metric tonnes (MMT) by 2021-22, the idea behind this proposal is also to help farmers double their income through allied activities like dairy farming in next five years.

The proposal primarily aims to cover additional 1.28 lakh villages and 121.83 lakh additional milk producers in the country. Under the proposal, the government will set up 1.05 Lakh bulk milk coolers at village level, create 524.20 lakh kg milk per day capacity of milk chilling facilities and create 76.5 lakh kg per day capacity of milk & milk product processing infrastructure. (1 lakh = approx. US$1550)

"Besides, the programme will modify/expand old milk and milk product plants, created 20-30 years ago under Operation Flood. It will also create milk & milk products plants for value added products which will benefit 160 lakh existing farmers," said the Union agriculture ministry.

It said, "The fund will be routed through the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) for the development of dairy sector. The proposal has been forwarded by department of economic affairs to the JICA."

India, at present, ranks first among the world's milk producing nations and the country has the largest bovine population. Though the milk production in India has increased from 17 MMT in 1950-51 to 155.49 MMT in 2015-16, the per capital consumption remains quite low due to growing population.

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