Srinagar, Feb: The Jammu and Kashmir Milk Producers Cooperative Limited (JKMPCL) is "working to raise the milk production capacity from 50,000 litres per day to 3 lakh litres per day" in the union territory with attractive support of the government, officials said on Monday.
As per the officials, the majority of the dairy producers in J&K are smallholders saving 2-3 animals with the UT is producing 70 lakh litres of milk per day.
To increase production, the government has started several schemes including the dairy entrepreneurship development scheme (DEDS) which focuses on setting up small dairy farms, said the officials.
Under the scheme, 15,000 dairy units of two cows each will be distributed as a special package for Jammu and Kashmir, they said adding the UT government is also working on cooperatives, as it helps to make milk production profitable with Jammu and Kashmir milk producers cooperative limited (JKMPCL) also working to raise the capacity from 50,000 LPD of milk production to 3 lakh LPD.
As per officials, In the integrated dairy development scheme (IDDS) is another scheme "which not only focuses on providing financial assistance, ut also supporting the dairy producer by providing milking machine, bulk milk cooling unit at 50% subsidy, paneer making machine, khoya making, dad hiking, cream separator, ice cream making machine, butter and ghee making machine, milk van, milk ATM and DG Set".
Besides, several central government schemes are also being implemented like National livestock mission, Livestock health and disease control, Rashtriya Gokul MissionRGM), Kisan credit card (KCC) to livestock farmers, National program for dairy development etc, added the officials.
They said the government is working on several schemes on dairy development in Jammu and Kashmir to lift the rural economy and improve livelihoods in a bid to "double the farmers’ income by 2022 while also focussing on improving the socio-economic condition of people".
As per the officials, apart from several schemes, the government is looking at various interventions like genetic up-gradation of cattle, cattle induction, fodder development, milk procurement and processing and health coverage and risk management.
"The UT administration under the vibrant leadership of Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha is working tirelessly to improve the conditions of farmers and increase their income and fulfil the dream of time Minister Narendra Modi to double the income of farmers by 2022".
Significantly, the Jammu and Kashmir administration has declared Jerri settlement in Reasi district as the first ‘milk village’ of the Union Territory and sanctioned 57 more dairy farms under inthe integrated dairy development scheme (IDDS) for the hamlet.
Many dairy entrepreneurs have also scripted success stories thereby reflecting the huge employment potential in the sector.
Manzoor Ahmad from the Ramban district of the Jammu division shifted from running a dry fruit shop to a dairy business. Ahmad sells around 200 litres of milk per day. His dream of becoming an entrepreneur was fulfilled with guidance from the Animal Husbandry Department, Ramban.
The department offered him guidance on scientific lines to manage his dairy farm.
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