Gujarat likely to see record milk production this year

Gujarat is likely to set a record in milk production this year. The state is aiming to produce 7,981 MT of milk in 2007-08 which, if achieved, will be the highest milk production the state recorded in the last thirty years.

The milk production has been steadily rising in the state and the state is likely to continue seeing the upward trend this year also.

According to the Agriculture and Co-operation Department figures released last week the state is likely to produce 7,981 MT of milk during the present year with an increase of 2.50 per cent over the last year.

Last year (2006-07) the milk production stood at 7,786 MT worth Rs 9,343 crore. This year the projected total value of the expected milk production is Rs 9,577 crore.

It should be mentioned that the state has been continuously registering a growth in the milk production for the last 30 years. If the target is achieved this year it will be the highest ever production of milk in the last thirty years in the state.

During 1986-87 the state had produced 3,246 MT of milk which increased to 4,831 MT in 1996-97. During these 10 years the milk production remained between 3,246 MT and 4,831 MT. The state managed to sustain the growth during the next decade.

The state had produced 6,742 tonne of milk from February 1, 2004 to January 31, 2005. During February 1, 2005 to January 2006 the state-succeeded in producing 6,940 tonne of milk.

However, the period between February 1, 2006 to January 31, 2007 the state has registered a major increase in milk production as compared to the previous two years.

During the period the state has produced 7,291 tonne of milk which was an increase of 378 tonne compared to the previous year.

Sources from the department say that the target is achievable and it will be a new record this year when the target is achieved. The state has been carrying out various efforts to increase the milk production in the state. These efforts include vaccination of animals, organising veterinary camps across the state.

During 2006 the state treated 79.59 lakh ailing milk producing animals, 160 lakh milk producing animals were vaccinated and 7,179 veterinary camps were organised by the authorities across the state. Moreover, 3,134 Animal Health Camps were organised in 8,865 villages and 335,500 milk producing animals were treated in these camps.

The state is also aiming to achieve a 17.50 per cent growth in the egg production this year by producing 5.92 crore eggs in 2007-08. The value of the egg production may be around Rs. 68.08 crore. Last year (2006-07) the state claims to have produced 50.38 crore eggs worth Rs 57.93 crore.

However, according to the sources the state may face difficulties in achieving this target as the state had to cull lakhs of fowls in the wake of last year's outbreak of bird flu in the country.

However, according to the department sources the poultry farm owners have enough fowls to fulfill this goal which can be achieved provided there is no threat from the bird flu this year also.