Productivity of milch cattle needs to be increased: Agri Minister
Updated: Oct 21, 2014 05:11:58pm
New Delhi, Oct 21 (KNN) Although India ranks first among the world’s milk producing nations since 1998 and accounts for about 17 per cent of the cattle population and 64 per cent of the buffalo population, there is a great need to increase the productivity of milch cattle, said Union Agriculture Minister, Radha Mohan Singh.
Singh said this while addressing the first meeting of newly constituted Parliamentary Consultative Committee here today, as per an official release.
The Agriculture Minister underlined the need for tapping the potential of indigenous breed of cows. He informed that the Government of India has started Rashtriya Gokul Mission with the objective of enhancing the milk production and productivity of indigenous bovines, as also to distribute the disease-free, high genetic merit bulls of indigenous breeds for natural service. During the current year, the provision of Rs. 150 crore has been made for this mission, he said.
On the achievements made in dairying, he informed that the milk production in India has reached 137.6 million tonnes in 2013-14 as compared to 17 million tonnes in 1950-51.
During the last five years, the rate of increase in milk production has remained at 4.2 per cent which is higher than the growth rate of population. As a result, per capita availability of milk which was 130gm per day during 1950-51 has increased to 302gm per day during 2013-14 which is more than 186gm estimated for Asia and the world average of 294gm.
Significantly, about 60 per cent Indian farmers are small and marginal, who collectively own almost 75 per cent of the female bovines but only 40 per cent of farmland.
The Minister listened to the suggestions of the members and assured them that he would take necessary steps towards implementation of the same within the policy framework.
Several parliamentarians who attended the meeting gave suggestions.
Giriraj Singh raised the issue of making strategy to remove the dearth of green fodder. He said the Government should take steps to decide the milk pricing policy and also give equal priority to cross-breeding of animals. The other issues raised by him included marketing facility for cow products, vaccination of cattle on regular basis, simplification of procedure for loan by institutes like NABARD and Milk Credit Card at minimum rate of interest, setting up Gobar Bank and steps to improve the condition of semen bank.
On the other hand, Rodmal Nagar highlighted the need for making collection centres for urine of cow so that it becomes an additional source of income for farmers; while Rajveer Singh suggested that Government should take steps to control the slaughter of milch cattle.
M B Rajesh suggested that the Government look into export of fodder in spite of the fact that cattle here are malnourished. He suggested that a Feed Security Bill on the lines of Food Security Bill should be introduced to ensure availability of high quality fodder for the cattle. He expressed satisfaction at the performance of milk cooperatives in the State of Kerala and wanted other States to follow the same.
Meanwhile, Dr. Tapas Mandal highlighted the issue of shortage of veterinary doctors, veterinary colleges and universities. He expressed surprise that even the old prestigious veterinary institutes do not receive any Government grant.
Offering his suggestions, Kunwar Pushpendra Singh Chandel said that by-products of cow should be properly tapped so that it becomes an additional source of income for the farmers.
Sanjay Shamrao Dhotre suggested that Government should mount Awareness Campaigns about nutritional and medicinal value of milk of Indian breed. He also suggested that good quality indigenous breed centres be available at every 200-300km distance so that small farmers can benefit. (KNN/ES)
Singh said this while addressing the first meeting of newly constituted Parliamentary Consultative Committee here today, as per an official release.
The Agriculture Minister underlined the need for tapping the potential of indigenous breed of cows. He informed that the Government of India has started Rashtriya Gokul Mission with the objective of enhancing the milk production and productivity of indigenous bovines, as also to distribute the disease-free, high genetic merit bulls of indigenous breeds for natural service. During the current year, the provision of Rs. 150 crore has been made for this mission, he said.
On the achievements made in dairying, he informed that the milk production in India has reached 137.6 million tonnes in 2013-14 as compared to 17 million tonnes in 1950-51.
During the last five years, the rate of increase in milk production has remained at 4.2 per cent which is higher than the growth rate of population. As a result, per capita availability of milk which was 130gm per day during 1950-51 has increased to 302gm per day during 2013-14 which is more than 186gm estimated for Asia and the world average of 294gm.
Significantly, about 60 per cent Indian farmers are small and marginal, who collectively own almost 75 per cent of the female bovines but only 40 per cent of farmland.
The Minister listened to the suggestions of the members and assured them that he would take necessary steps towards implementation of the same within the policy framework.
Several parliamentarians who attended the meeting gave suggestions.
Giriraj Singh raised the issue of making strategy to remove the dearth of green fodder. He said the Government should take steps to decide the milk pricing policy and also give equal priority to cross-breeding of animals. The other issues raised by him included marketing facility for cow products, vaccination of cattle on regular basis, simplification of procedure for loan by institutes like NABARD and Milk Credit Card at minimum rate of interest, setting up Gobar Bank and steps to improve the condition of semen bank.
On the other hand, Rodmal Nagar highlighted the need for making collection centres for urine of cow so that it becomes an additional source of income for farmers; while Rajveer Singh suggested that Government should take steps to control the slaughter of milch cattle.
M B Rajesh suggested that the Government look into export of fodder in spite of the fact that cattle here are malnourished. He suggested that a Feed Security Bill on the lines of Food Security Bill should be introduced to ensure availability of high quality fodder for the cattle. He expressed satisfaction at the performance of milk cooperatives in the State of Kerala and wanted other States to follow the same.
Meanwhile, Dr. Tapas Mandal highlighted the issue of shortage of veterinary doctors, veterinary colleges and universities. He expressed surprise that even the old prestigious veterinary institutes do not receive any Government grant.
Offering his suggestions, Kunwar Pushpendra Singh Chandel said that by-products of cow should be properly tapped so that it becomes an additional source of income for the farmers.
Sanjay Shamrao Dhotre suggested that Government should mount Awareness Campaigns about nutritional and medicinal value of milk of Indian breed. He also suggested that good quality indigenous breed centres be available at every 200-300km distance so that small farmers can benefit. (KNN/ES)
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