Rs 6,000 crore Milk Mission would launch soon

HYDERABAD: Keeping in view the increase in demand for milk and to check unorganised sector in the sale of milk, the state government would soon launch a ‘State Milk Mission’ with an investment of over Rs. 6,000 crore.Under this programme, steps would be taken to increase milk production substantially from the present 298 lakh litres per day to 496 lakh litres in the next five years.As part of the ‘Milk Mission,’ the state government would adopt a five-pronged strategy which include induction of new animals, fodder development and feed manufacturing, cattle-rearing, expansion of animal health programme and milk procurement services.Steps would be taken for setting up new bulk milk chilling units and milk market development in tier-II and III cities.About four lakh new animals would be inducted and the total additional milk production is estimated to be about 24 lakh litres per day.The intervention strategy include providing milch animals to below poverty line families in self-help groups, opening small dairies of upto 50 animals to encourage entrepreneurs.According to special chief secretary to animal husbandry and dairy development S Bhale Rao, the source of funding of about Rs. 6,000 crore under the milk mission includes Rs. 3,000 crore assistance from banks, Rs. 1,130 crore from NREGS, Rs. 740 crore from beneficiaries, Rs. 790 crore from the national dairy plan, Rs. 162 crore from the Union government, Rs. 24 crore each by SERP and the state government.The Centre would shortly launch the National Dairy Plan (NDP) taking credit from the World Bank.Bhale Rao further said that about 600 bulk milk chilling units were planned at villagelevels for Rs. 138 crore.