Dairy Sector Gets a Push: 14.56 Cr AIs, 52 Solar BMCs, 24 IVF Labs Sanctioned

Ziraat Times Team Report

New Delhi: The Union Government has intensified support for dairy farmers through infrastructure development and advanced breeding programmes under major schemes run by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD). The initiatives aim to strengthen milk procurement, processing and chilling facilities while improving productivity among small and marginal farmers.

Under the National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD), assistance is being provided for creation and modernisation of procurement, processing and chilling systems, along with the installation of quality-testing equipment. Support is also being extended to village-level dairy cooperative societies for Bulk Milk Coolers (BMCs), including solar-powered and thermal-storage variants. A total of 52 solar-powered BMCs have been sanctioned under the programme.

The government is also expanding infrastructure through the Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF), which provides financial assistance for new or modernised milk processing plants, chilling infrastructure, value-added dairy units, and renewable-energy systems. Dairy cooperatives, FPOs, SHGs and private entrepreneurs are among the beneficiaries. Three milk unions—Barauni (Bihar), Banaskantha (Gujarat) and Ernakulam (Kerala)—have received support for solar-powered dairy processing units.

To boost technology adoption and productivity, DAHD is implementing the Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM), which focuses on genetic upgradation and scientific cattle management. The nationwide programme has so far delivered significant outcomes:

• 9.36 crore animals covered under the Artificial Insemination Programme, with 14.56 crore inseminations performed, benefiting 5.62 crore farmers.

• 128 lakh doses of sex-sorted semen produced, with the cost reduced from ₹800 to ₹250 per dose through indigenous technology.

• 40 lakh–dose production capacity established, with 150 lakh–dose capacity under development.

• MAITRI initiative has trained 39,810 rural AI technicians offering doorstep services.

• 24 IVF labs have been established, with an incentive of ₹5,000 per assured pregnancy.

• 4,288 high-genetic-merit bulls produced under Progeny Testing and Pedigree Selection.

• 47 semen stations sanctioned for strengthening genetics infrastructure.

• Nationwide cattle fertility camps, calf rallies, and farmer training programmes conducted to spread awareness.

The government stated that these interventions are enhancing access to modern breeding technologies, improving cattle productivity, and contributing to income growth for small and marginal dairy farmers.

The information was provided by Animal Husbandry and Dairying Minister Rajeev Ranjan Singh (Lallan Singh) in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.