India is the world’s largest producer of milk and is one of the biggest industries providing livelihood to millions of farmers which makes it influential to the country’s economy. In order for this industry to grow and sustain, the government took various initiatives to develop the sector and help the farmers. In this blog, we will explore the importance of the dairy industry in the economy and the initiatives that the government took to support the industry.
The Dairy Industry
Contribution to GDP and employment
India is the largest producer of milk in the world, making dairy farming a backbone of agricultural activities. This industry not only supports farmers but also creates jobs in every unit like milk processing, transportation, and retail, which benefits the overall economy of the country.
Challenges faced by the Dairy Industry
Although the dairy industry is the biggest in India, there are also a lot of challenges. Many farmers struggle with low milk productivity because of inadequate nutrition or care for their cattle. Lack of modern infrastructure, like cold storage or advanced processing units will result in milk being wasted. It is also difficult for rural farmers to access fair prices for their dairy production. Climate change also affects the production of dairy products which results in lower productivity.
Another major challenge that farmers face in the dairy industry is balancing affordable prices for consumers with good earnings for farmers. The low prices might attract consumers but it often brings a low profit margin to the farmers.
Govt Initiatives supporting the dairy industry
Some of the initiatives taken by the Indian Government to support the dairy industry are as follows:
- Rashtriya Gokul Mission
The Rashtriya Gokul Mission is a government initiative which is aimed at improving the productivity of native cattle breeds. Indigenous cow breeds like Gir, Sahiwal, and Red Sindhi, which produce high-quality milk are protected and preserved under this Initiative.
This program includes setting up care centers for cattle known as Gokul Grams to provide financial support for farmers and promote modern breeding practices. This will increase milk production and improve the rural livelihood.
- National Livestock Mission (NLM)
The National Livestock Mission aims at improving the livestock sector and helping farmers. The objectives of this program are
- Employment generation through entrepreneurship development in the poultry and piggery sector.
- Increase of per animal productivity through breed improvement.
- Increase in production of meat, egg, goat milk and wool.
- Offering financial help for setting up farms and improving infrastructure.
- Daily Entrepreneurship Development Scheme (DEDS)
The Daily Entrepreneurship Development Scheme is a government initiative that helps people start and grow their own dairy business. Through this program, farmers get financial support through subsidies and loans to set up their dairy farms and processing units.
Subsidies and Financial Support
Farmers can get subsidized loans from the government to buy the equipment they need to build better farms and processing units. There are also initiatives which help in improving the quality of milk and other dairy products as well as better veterinary care for the cattle.
Market Expansion
Through various initiatives, it is helping to promote Indian brands abroad, ensuring that our high-quality milk and dairy products gain international recognition. The government is also supporting small-scale farmers and cooperatives to access larger markets, making it easier for them to sell their products both in India and overseas.
Conclusion
The Indian government plays a big role in supporting and improving the dairy industry. The dairy industry is growing from various schemes, subsidies, modern technology, etc which helps farmers produce better quality milk and increase their income.
Pravarsha Dairy ensures the best quality milk and dairy items. By choosing our products, you will enjoy delicious and nutritious products as well as support the farmers.
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