Tag: #dairy

National Milk Day (NMD) 2024 Celebrations to Honor Dr. Verghese Kurien’s Legacy

The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying  is celebrating “National Milk Day” on November 26, 2024, at Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi. This event honours the 103rd birth anniversary of Dr. Verghese Kurien, fondly remembered as the “Father of the White Revolution in India,” and highlights the pivotal contributions of the dairy sector to India’s economy and nutritional security. The celebration will be graced by Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, as the Chief Guest, along with Ministers of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel and Shri George Kurian and several other dignitaries.

On this occasion, Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh will also confer the prestigious National Gopal Ratna Awards (one of the highest National  awards in the livestock and  dairy sector)  in 3 categories namely Best Dairy Farmer rearing indigenous cattle/buffalo breeds, Best Artificial Insemination Technician, and Best Dairy Cooperative Society (DCS)/ Milk Producer Company/ Dairy Farmer Producer Organization from across the country.  A newly added Special award in each category would also be conferred on winners from  the North Eastern Region. During the event some awardees will also share their experiences, providing valuable insights into the best practices, innovations, and sustainable approaches they have adopted in the sector.

The event will  also witness the launch of two significant publications. The first being the  Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics (BAHS)-2024, which offers vital insights into the livestock and dairy sector trends, underpinning data-driven policymaking. The second is a Manual on the Identification of Elite Cows, designed to guide the creation of a national Milch herd comprising of elitist of elite dairy animals. The same, underlines the government’s focus on evidence-based decision-making and technological advancement in the field of animal husbandry.

A special highlight of the celebration is the culmination of All India Motor Rally, organised by Amul, the leading dairy co-operative in association with Bajaj Auto, which had been flagged off  earlier by  Union Minister of Home Affairs and Cooperation,  Shri Amit Shah on 19th November 2024 from Himmatnagar in Sabarkantha District of Gujarat. The rally groups arriving from various parts of the country will gather at  Dhaula Kuan, New Delhi  for the last leg and will finally arrive at the Manekshaw Centre where they will  be received by Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh.  

The event will also host two thought-provoking panel discussions. The first titled “Women Led Livestock and Dairy Sector” will explore the transformative role of women in the livestock and dairy sector, emphasizing gender inclusivity and empowerment. The second panel discussion themed “ Empowering farmers through local Veterinary support”  will delve into the  strategies for empowering farmers by strengthening local veterinary support systems, a critical component of India’s rural economy.

This mega event will see countrywide participation including  farmers, milk federations, dairy co-operatives etc. National Milk Day 2024 celebrates India’s leadership in the global dairy sector, emphasizing the importance of sustainable and inclusive growth in livestock and dairy industries. It recognizes the dedication of dairy farmers and stakeholders, while also inspiring innovation and fostering stronger partnerships. The event serves as a platform to honour the achievements of those involved, encouraging continued collaboration and progress in the sector.

About “Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics – 2024

DAHD is set to release its annual publication titled “Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics (BAHS) – 2024”. The BAHS – 2024 is an essential publication that provides comprehensive data on the livestock sector, based on the outcomes of the Integrated Sample Survey conducted for the period from 1st March 2023 to 29th February 2024. This survey, unique in the country, generates crucial data on the production estimates of Major Livestock Products (MLPs) such as Milk, Eggs, Meat, and Wool, which plays a pivotal role in policy formulation in the livestock sector. This publication includes state-wise estimation of production and per-capita availability of MLPs including insights into the estimated number of animals involved in milk production, poultry egg-laying birds, animals slaughtered, and sheep shorn. Further, it presents valuable data on veterinary hospitals, polyclinics, gaushalas, state farms, and other infrastructure details, along with the number of artificial inseminations performed, and a global perspective on the livestock sector.

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Mega Dairy at Mandya, Karnataka

 Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah inaugurated Mega Dairy at Mandya in Karnataka today. Several dignitaries including Nirmalanandanatha Mahaswamiji, the 72nd Pontiff of Sri Adichunchanagiri Mahasamsthana Math, Mandya, Chief Minister of Karnataka, Shri Basavaraj Bommai, former Prime Minister Shri HD Deve Gowda and Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Coal and Mines Shri Pralhad Joshi were present on the occasion.

Condoling the demise of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mother, Shri Amit Shah paid tributes to her and said that the whole country is standing with the Prime Minister in this hour of grief. The Union Home and Cooperation Minister said that since independence, the farmers of the country had demanded a Ministry of Cooperation separate from the Ministry of Agriculture. He said that he would like to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi for paving the way for the development of farmers by forming a separate Ministry of Cooperation. Shri Shah said that from the inaugural platform of Mandya Mega Dairy, he wants to tell the cooperative workers across the country that it is the decision of the Government of India that there will be no injustice to the cooperatives.

The Union Cooperation Minister said that the mega dairy inaugurated today at a cost of Rs 260 crore would process 10 lakh liters of milk per day and the will have the capacity to increase it upto 14 lakh liters per day. He said that when 10 lakh liters of milk is processed, prosperity reaches the homes of lakhs of farmers. Shri Shah said that in Karnataka, the cooperative dairy is working very well. Today, there are 15,210 village level cooperative dairies in Karnataka, in which about 26.22 lakh farmers deliver their milk daily and through 16 district level dairies, Rs 28 crore is deposited into the accounts of 26 lakh farmers every day.

Shri Amit Shah said that around 66,000 kg milk used to be processed daily in Karnataka in 1975 while today over 82 lakh kg milk is processed daily and 80% of the total turnover goes to the farmer. The Union Cooperation Minister said that the White Revolution in Gujarat has changed the fortunes of the farmers and through Amul, 60,000 crore rupees is deposited into the bank accounts of about 36 lakh women annually. He said that he would like to assure all the farmer brothers and sisters of Karnataka that Amul and Nandini will work together towards establishing primary dairies in every village of Karnataka and in next three years there will not be a single village in Karnataka where primary dairy has not been established. Shri Amit Shah said that the government has decided that the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and the Ministry of Cooperation will establish a primary dairy in every panchayat of the country in the next three years and a complete action plan has been prepared in this regard. He said that with this, two lakh primary dairies will be established at the village level across the country in three years, through which India will emerge as a big exporter in the milk sector by connecting the farmers of the country with the White Revolution.

The Union Home and Cooperation Minister said that Karnataka Milk Federation will be provided with technical support, cooperative sector support and overall functioning support from Amul and all its requirements will be addressed  by the Ministry of Cooperation. He said that Gujarat and Karnataka together can work for the welfare of the milk producing farmers of the whole country. Union Cooperation Minister appreciated the Government of Karnataka under the leadership of Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai for ensuring depositing Rs 1,250 crore directly to bank accounts of milk producing farmers through DBT at the rate of Rs 5 per liter during the year. Shri Amit Shah said that Government led by Shri Bommai is crediting Rs. 1,250 crore annually through DBT to the accounts of milk producing farmers and also to remove malnutrition among children through the Ksheer Bhagya scheme, milk is being provided to 65 lakh children in 51,000 government schools and 39 lakh children in 64,000 Anganwadis .Shri Amit Shah congratulated the Chairman of Mandya Milk Producers Committee for his efforts to increase the income of all the farmers of Mandya district through dairy.

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