The first phase of the National Dairy Plan (NDP), a central sector scheme funded by the World Bank being implemented by National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), has commenced operations in major dairy states. Karnataka is among the 13 of the 14 major dairy states where the work has began and discussions are at advanced stage with Bihar.
“The National Steering Committee (NSC) has approved an outlay of Rs 130.71 crore for the year 2012-13. This outlay covers 49 proposals, pertaining to Progeny Testing, Pedigree Selection, Strengthening of Semen Stations, Ration Balancing Programme, Fodder Development and Village based Milk Procurement Systems, from eight states-Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Maharashtra that have been approved by the Project Steering Committee,” said Amrita Patel, Chairman of NNDB while talking on the progress made by NDP till January 2013. Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal are likely to be covered in a month’s time.
These activities will contribute to production of high genetic merit bulls; strengthening of existing semen stations for production of disease free semen doses; make available high quality fodder seeds, improve nutrition of milch animals using Ration Balancing and providing milk producers better opportunities for sale of surplus milk by facilitating fair and transparent transactions. A Baseline survey has been completed in 9 states and all the 14 major dairy states will be covered by end of the current financial year, Patel added.
A focused scientific and systematic process to increase productivity of milch animals and thereby increase milk production to meet the rapidly growing demand for milk is being adopted under NDP. Cooperatives are also being supported in providing rural milk producers with greater access to the organised milk processing sector, she informed.
NDDB has conducted three national level orientation workshops on NDP-I for various stakeholders. State level meetings have also been conducted in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Punjab, Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan to orient End Implementing Agencies (EIAs) about issues critical to implementation of NDP-I. Training programmes for farmers and officials of dairy cooperatives have been initiated and so far about 400 participants have been trained in 20 training programmes.
Going forward, Patel said the focus will be on identifying and assisting EIAs in preparation and submission of proposals relevant to their needs and capacity building of EIAs in remaining states.