New Delhi, Dec 14 (KNN) The government has been taking steps towards making milk production profitable and promoting rearing of livestock as a means to supplement income of marginal farmers and landless labourers.
 
“Rearing of livestock for milk production plays a significant role in supplementing family income in the rural sector, particularly among small and marginal farmers and landless labourers, beside generating gainful employment and providing low cost nutritional feed,” said Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Processing Industries, Charan Das Mahant in the Rajya Sabha yesterday.
 
The Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries has been providing assistance for control of animal diseases, scientific management and upgradation of genetic resources, livestock insurance, increasing availability of nutritious feed and fodder, sustainable Development of Milk Processing and Marketing facilities, enhancement of milk production and profitability of livestock, he said.
 
Schemes that support these initiatives are Intensive Dairy Development Programme; Dairy Entrepreneurship Development Scheme; Strengthening Infrastructure for Quality & Clean Milk Production; National Project for Cattle & Buffalo Breeding; Livestock health and Disease Control; Fodder and Feed Development Scheme; Livestock Insurance Scheme; and National Dairy Plan Phase – I.  (KNN/ST)