Anticipating an investment of Rs 3,240 crore in dairy and live stock sectors in Kerala in the next three years, an experts' committee has recommended the government to set up a live stock development finance corporation to ensure better credit flow in this high potential area.
In its report presented to the government today, the panel headed by agriculture expert R Heli set ambitious goals of raising the milk production in the state from the present 24 lakh tonnes to 40 lakh ton and 40 per cent increase in production of egg and meat.
It wanted the government to work out schemes to provide direct credit support of Rs 963 crore, including subsidies and soft loans, to the farmers to realise the goals.
Noting that Kerala had all potential to become a major supplier of meat to world market, the report asked the government to work out schemes to promote calf breeding with 50 per cent subsidy to the farmers. An amount of Rs 8 crore could be set apart for this alone with a target of 8,000 ton additional meat production a year.
For raising milk production, the recommendations included creation of heifer parks, cultivation of fodder grass on river banks and improved veterinary facilities.
For the poultry sector, at least 40 lakh households should be given input and credit support to make each of them a production unit with at least five birds.
Considering the natural settings of the state, at least one lakh households in the state could be selected for rearing ducks.
