Animal Husbandry Minister expects 7% growth in sector, dismisses milk product shortage concerns

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Minister of Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Dairy Parshottam Rupala expressed confidence that the sector is likely to grow at 7 percent in current public finances against more than 6 percent in 2022-23 and dismissed any shortage of dairy products in the country.

Speaking to the media about the center’s achievements in the past nine years, Rupala said that the launch of “mobile veterinary units” is the best “initiative”, according to him, among several steps taken in this sector that change the face of the livestock sector. . He said there is no dearth of funding if demand comes from states because the center is keen to see an expansion of these mobile truck units.

Of the 4,240 ambulatory veterinary units approved to date, 1,181 are already operational. These “mobile ambulances,” said Rupala, help treat livestock on doorsteps and provide vaccinations.

The minister also said that vaccinating livestock is another important initiative of the government to help address animal health. He added that the government is promoting milk production in the country through several programs such as artificial insemination, artificial insemination, sex-segregated semen technology and insemination.

On the availability of milk in the country, he said that despite the high price of milk, there is no shortage of milk and dairy products. He pointed out that the government is trying to address the problem of high prices by increasing milk production. He added that the per capita available milk supply rose to 449 grams in 2022 from 303 grams in 2014.

Milk prices in Delhi increased by $10 per liter last year between March and December.

The minister also said that less than 35 percent of the total milk production is collected for processing by dairy companies. He said the country has enough skimmed milk powder and the milk chain is running smoothly. Rupala addressed the issue of improving the availability of affordable feed by saying that there is a scheme under which subsidies are available to raise feed.

India is the largest producer of milk in the world, contributing 221 million tons annually.