Indian Government on the Move to Increase Milk Production

Nitin Konde, Apoorva Bajj

Aug 2, 2024 — 3 min read

Indian Government on the Move to Increase Milk Production

The Rashtriya Gokul Mission is an initiative of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairy that aims to improve milk output and productivity, increase genetic diversity among bovines, and preserve indigenous bovine breeds.

All states and union territories are being supported by the department's Livestock Health & Disease Control Programme (LHDCP), a central sector scheme that aims to reduce animal health risks through preventative vaccination, capacity building of veterinary services, disease surveillance, and veterinary infrastructure strengthening. Immunisation programs against classical swine fever (CSF), peste des petits ruminants (PPR), foot and mouth disease (FMD), and brucellosis (BMD) receive full funding from the federal government.

Assistance to States for Control of Animal Diseases (ASCAD) aims to control exotic, emergent, and zoonotic diseases that are economically important to the states, with funding split 60:40 between the federal government and the states; for hilly and northeastern states, the funding is 90:10, and for UTs, the funding is 100%.

Furthermore, as part of the ESVHD-MVU component, all funds are allocated to the purchase and customisation of Mobile Veterinary Units (MVUs). The ratio of recurring operational expenditures is 90:10 for the North Eastern and Himalayan states, 60% for all other states, and 100% for UTs.

These MUVs will subsequently provide veterinary healthcare services such as disease diagnosis, treatment, vaccination, minor surgical interventions, audiovisual aids, extension services, and more to farmers right at their doorsteps through a Toll-Free Number (1962).

Reacting to these developments, Yachneet Pushkarna, CEO, Hari HariBol Dairy Pvt Ltd. stated, "The Union Budget 2024 marks a pivotal step toward realizing India's dairy potential. By prioritizing investments in technology, infrastructure, and disease control, the government is creating a robust framework for dairy growth. The focus on modernization and innovation will significantly boost milk production and enhance sustainability. Abolishing the angel tax further encourages a supportive startup environment, driving productivity across agriculture and dairy sectors. This budget is set to propel India's dairy industry to new heights."

Steps to Enhance Milk Production

The districts that do not yet have artificial insemination coverage will have it expanded through the implementation of a nationwide program.
Quicker genetic upgradation of bovines through an expedited breed improvement program that makes use of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) technology.
The use of sex-sorted semen in an accelerated breed improvement program has resulted in female calves that are more than 90% accurate.
Creating bulls with exceptional genetic quality through a systematic approach to progeny testing and pedigree selection.
Providing farmers in rural India with access to high-quality artificial insemination services through MAITRIs.
To promote entrepreneurship and increase access to disease-free heifers, a breed multiplication farm will be established.

Enhancing Feed and Fodder Supply Chain

To guarantee the availability of high-yielding fodder varieties, a 100% incentive is given for the production of all types of fodder seeds. As part of its "Entrepreneurship Development Programme" (EDP), the government offers qualifying businesses a 50% capital subsidy to help fund the construction of facilities that can make Total Mixed Ration (TMR), fodder blocks, silage, and hay. In addition, the Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) helps finance the nation's massive production of animal feeds, TMR, silage, bypass protein, mineral mixture, feed supplements, and premixes.