Boosting Dairy Production in Maharashtra
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) is actively implementing several initiatives across India, including Maharashtra, to enhance milk production and processing infrastructure. These schemes aim to improve the productivity of dairy farming, strengthen infrastructure, and provide essential health services for livestock. The government’s efforts are expected to lower production costs and increase farmers’ incomes through organized markets and fair pricing.
Key Initiatives for Dairy Development
Among the various schemes launched by the DAHD, several stand out for their impact on the dairy sector. The National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD) focuses on enhancing dairy production capabilities nationwide. Supporting Dairy Cooperatives and Farmer Producer Organizations (SDCFPO) is another critical initiative aimed at empowering local dairy farmers. The Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) is designed to bolster infrastructure, while the Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) and the National Livestock Mission (NLM) focus on improving livestock health and productivity. Additionally, the Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP) ensures that farmers have access to necessary health services for their animals.
These initiatives collectively aim to enhance milk productivity, improve feed and fodder availability, and provide comprehensive health services for livestock. By reducing production costs and creating organized markets, these programs are expected to significantly increase the income of dairy farmers.
Marathwada’s Dairy Development Efforts
In the Marathwada region, specific projects have been launched to further enhance dairy production. The Vidarbha and Marathwada Dairy Development Project (VMDDP) is a collaborative initiative between the Government of Maharashtra and the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB). Launched in October 2016, the project began with the collection of 175 kg of milk from 12 villages and has since expanded to cover 3,411 villages, engaging around 35,000 farmers. Currently, the project averages a daily procurement of 4.5 lakh kg of milk, with over ₹2,303 crore paid directly to farmers since its inception.
Additionally, 273 Artificial Insemination (AI) centers have been established under the RGM scheme, providing quality AI services to farmers. These centers have conducted approximately 2 lakh AIs, resulting in the birth of 20,979 genetically superior calves. To ensure farmers receive fair prices for their milk, Mother Dairy Fruit & Vegetable Private Ltd. has set up a procurement network in four districts of Marathwada, covering 247 villages and involving 1,673 farmers.
State Government Initiatives and Support
The Maharashtra government is also taking significant steps to enhance dairy farming in the Marathwada region. The “Supply of Milch Animals” scheme is being implemented for the years 2023-24 and 2024-25, aimed at improving livestock quality. Vaccination programs against various animal diseases are being conducted in partnership with the central government to ensure the health of livestock.
Under the National Livestock Mission- Entrepreneur Development Scheme (NLM-EDP), eight silage manufacturing projects have been sanctioned in Marathwada, with a total project cost of ₹682.19 lakh and an approved subsidy of ₹320.47 lakh. Furthermore, the state has distributed seeds of improved fodder crop varieties to farmers at a 100% subsidy to ensure the availability of green fodder for livestock.
To promote fodder cultivation, the Aanna Fodder Producer Company Limited was registered on March 19, 2023, under the central sector scheme for the formation and promotion of Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). This company, operating in the Latur district, has enrolled 300 farmers as shareholders and is actively trading cattle feed.
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