Punjab Government all set to revolutionize dairy sector

by Punjabnewswire4u

CHANDIGARH, NOV 4

In a bid to revitalize and give much needed impetus to the allied farming sector especially the Dairy in state, Punjab Chief Minister Mr Parkash Singh Badal prevailed upon the Union Agriculture Minister Mr Sharad Pawar to take special initiative for developing this sector.

The Chief Minister, who had met Mr Sharad Pawar recently at New Delhi apprised him that the state government as a part of its ambitious crop diversification program was seriously mulling to develop the Dairy sector in a big way. He pointed out that in its endeavor to diversify Agriculture, the state government was giving a renewed emphasis on development of Dairy farming as an economically viable alternative to Rice/Wheat cropping system.

Realizing the need to bail out state’s agrarian economy out of wheat/paddy cycle, Mr Pawar firmed up his commitment to help the state to develop dairy, fishery and animal husbandry for which he would convene a joint meeting of the senior officers of the Centre and state government at Punjab Agricultural University in Ludhiana on November 20. He also promised to look into the feasibility of setting up of Fishery research institute in Punjab to explore potential of fishery in the waterlogged areas of southern Punjab.  

Mr Badal had sought the assistance of Union agriculture ministry to encourage the farmers to adopt diversification as it would go a long way in supplementing the income of the beleaguered peasantry of the state who were already on the crossroads due to negligible returns on their produce due to ever accelerating farm inputs. He high lighted the deteriorating financial health of Milk federations in view of the imposition of ban on export of milk products viz. Skimmed Milk Powder, Casein etc. and stressed that Government of India (GoI) should help the federations who were saddled with   huge stocks of milk products.

The Chief Minister said that the prevailing market rate of milk products were much lower both in domestic and international market as compared to the cost of production. He emphasized that to enable the federation to liquidate their stocks, the incentive on export of milk products should be increased from existing 5% to make these commercially viable. Mr Badal further suggested that milk products should be included in the menu of mid-day meal scheme to increase their demand. Likewise he urged that the milk products should be included in the food aid being provided by India to the   neighboring and other countries.

Reiterating that diversification to livestock sector was necessary to supplement the income of the farmers, the Chief Minister posed program to be funded by the Central government for the promotion of Dairy, piggery, Goatry and fisheries. Mr Badal also urged the Union Minister to treat livestock sector at par with the Agriculture in terms of Income tax, interest rates, issue of Kisan credit cards etc. He also demanded to provide subsidized insurance cover to livestock irrespective of the size of the herd. The Chief Minister also urged Mr Pawar to set up a Dairy research centre in Punjab on the pattern of already established such institute in Karnal to further boost the prospects of Dairy sector in the state.

Emphasizing the need to fully exploit the untapped potential of fishery in the state, Mr Badal urged the Union Minister to examine the feasibility of setting up of big fish farms in the water-logged areas of the Malwa belt in the state.