Radha Mohan Singh emphasizes the need to increase Productivity of Milch Cattle

India ranks first among the worlds milk producing nations since 1998 and accounts for about 17% of the cattle population and 64% of the buffalo population. However, there is a great need to increase the productivity of our milch cattle. This was stated by Union Agriculture Minister, Shri Radha Mohan Singh while addressing the first meeting of newly constituted Parliamentary Consultative Committee here today. Introducing the subject of Dairying and the achievements made by the new Government in this field, 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% 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. About 60% Indian farmers are small and marginal, who collectively own almost 75% of the female bovines but only 40% of farmland. Shri Radha Mohan Singh underlined the need for tapping the potential of indigenous breed of cows. He informed that 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, Shri Singh informed. Shri Radha Mohan Singh 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. Shri Giriraj Singh raised the issue of making strategy to remove the dearth of green fodder. He also desired that Government should take steps to decide the milk pricing policy and also 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. Shri Rodmal Nagar highlighted the need for making collection centres for urine of cow so that it becomes an additional source of income for farmers. Shri Rajveer Singh suggested that Government should take steps to control the slaughter of milch cattle. Shri M.B. Rajesh suggested that Government should look into export of fodder inspite of the fact that our own cattle 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 our cattle. He expressed satisfaction at the performance of milk cooperatives in the State of Kerala and wanted that other States may also follow the same. 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 also do not receive any Government grant. Kunwar Pushpendra Singh Chandel suggested that by-products of cow should be properly tapped so that it becomes an additional source of income for the farmers. Shri 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 should be available at every 200-300km distance so that small farmers can also get benefitted. Shri Radha Mohan Singh thanked all the members for their valuable suggestions and said that the Ministry would look into all the issues raised by the members in the meeting and take all possible steps to implement these suggestions. The Parliamentarians who attended this meeting included Shri B.N. Chandrappa, Shri Chintaman Navsha Wanaga, Shri Giriraj Singh, Shri M.B. Rajesh, Shri Manshankar Ninama, Kunwar Pushpendra Singh Chandel, Shri Rajen Gohain, Shri Rajveer (Raju Bhaiya) Singh, Shri Rodmal Nagar, Shri Sanjay Shamrao Dhotre, Dr. Tapas Mandal and Shri Shankarbhai N. Vegad. Also present were Secretary, DADF, Shri A.K. Thakur, AS & FA and other senior officers of Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries. GG: Parliamentary Consultative Committee (21.10.2014)

Radha Mohan Singh emphasizes the need to increase Productivity of Milch Cattle

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