A year after the ambitious ‘Dhoodh ganga’ project funded by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) was sanctioned to Himachal Pradesh, the state is all set for a white revolution over the next three years, say officials.
The project aims to transform micro-enterprises engaged in diary farming into successful diary ventures, thus empowering 50,000 rural households through 10,000 self help groups.
Once the project is completed, milk production in the state is expected to go up to 35,000,000 litres annually.
Since the inception of the project a year ago, over Rs 3,619 lakh have been distributed, half of which has been sanctioned as interest-free.
Under the scheme, every self help group is provided interest free loans of Rs 3 lakh for setting up diary units with ten animals.
Also, there is a provision of granting loans upto Rs 15 lakh for setting up machines and coolers for the purpose of milk production. A loan of Rs 25 lakh is provided for transportation of dairy products.
The scheme covers aspects like the dissemination of information and training about scientific animal management, breeding quality milch and veterinary cattle.