SRINAGAR, FEB 21: Of agriculture sector’s 16.18% contribution to J&K’s GDP, 35% contribution comes from the dairy sector.
Dairy is one of the most important sectors in J&K and the vast population living in rural areas relies on dairy and livestock for their livelihood. Improving the position of the dairy sector in J&K is seen as being directly proportional to improving the socio-economic condition of people.
Since the launch of ‘Operation Flood’ in 1970, which transformed India from a milk-deficient nation into the world’s largest milk producer, White Revolution is gaining momentum in the whole of the country and J&K is also marching on the path.
Majority of the dairy producers in J&K are small holders having 2-3 animals, while it is producing 70 lakh liters of milk per day.
To increase production, J&K government has started several schemes like dairy entrepreneurship development scheme (DEDS) which focuses on setting up small dairy farms. And in this scheme 15000 dairy units of two cows each will be distributed as a special package for Jammu and Kashmir, an official statement said today.
“Government is also working on cooperatives, as it helps to make milk production profitable with Jammu and Kashmir milk producers cooperative limited (JKMPCL) is also working to raise the capacity from 50,000 LPD of milk production to 3 lakh LPD”, the official said.
Integrated dairy development scheme (IDDS) is another scheme which besides providing financial assistance also supports the dairy producer by providing milking machine, bulk milk cooling unit at 50% subsidy, paneer making machine, khoya making, dahi making, cream separator, ice cream making machine, butter and ghee making machine, milk van, milk ATM and DG Set.
Several central government schemes are also being implemented like National livestock mission, Livestock health and disease control, Rashtriya Gokul mission (RGM), Kisan credit card (KCC) to livestock farmers, National program for dairy development etc.
The Jammu and Kashmir administration has declared Jerri settlement in Reasi district as the first ‘milk village’ and sanctioned 57 more dairy farms under integrated dairy development scheme (IDDS) for the hamlet.
Apart from several schemes, the government is looking at various interventions like genetic up-gradation of cattle, cattle induction, fodder development, milk procurement and processing and health coverage and risk management.
