The Punjab government is gearing up to promote dairy farming in the state.
In a bid to increase the milk production and to improve its quality in the state, which ranks second in terms of milk production in the country, the Punjab State Farmers? Commission (PSFC) is promoting the concept of ?animal housing? and encouraging farmers to adopt better management skills.
Anil K Kaura, consultant(dairying) with the commission and former director of Punjab Dairy Development Board said though dairy farming is an age-old subsidiary profession in the rural areas of Punjab but the idea of ?animal housing? is quite na?ve here.
Talking with FE about the concept, Kaura said, ?In consultation with farmers, we have designed a model of special cow-shed, which can accommodate 20 animals. The approval for the model has been given by the Punjab Agriculture University (PAU). The shed covers an area of 4,200 sq ft in which there is abundant sunlight, and proper ventilation?.
?The animals can be kept open in the shed. This special shed costs around Rs 5 lakh and the farmers can avail subsidy of Rs 2.50 lakh on it. For this purpose, the state has secured the grant of Rs 15 crore from the central government under Rastriya Krishi Vikas Yojna (RKVY) for the current fiscal accomplishing the target to build 1,000 such sheds this year,? Kaura said
?But due to some delay in execution of our plans, we could rope in only 250 farmers this year but will be achieving the target of 2,000 farmers by next year. It is for the first time that central government has given huge grant to promote dairy sector, which will be uitilised properly,? Kaura said.
The state government also has a tie-up with various commercial banks offering loan on lesser rate of interest to farmers for setting up commercial dairy farm and also for constructing the special cow shed. Punjab produces 250 lakh litre milk per day, having around 32 lakh buffaloes and 7.5 lakh cows. Around 70% of total milks comes from buffaloes while milk from cows amount to 30%.
Moreover, Progressive Dairy farmers Association (PDFA), which was formed in late 1970 had a little role to play three years ago but now the association is actively popularising commercial dairying.
The association has registered 4,000 members and aims at adding 2,000 farmers by next year.
?With the entry of youngsters in this sector, the future of commercial dairy looks bright. Interestingly, all the members of the PDFA lie between the age-group of 25-35. The state government had started running dairy entrepreneur training courses in 2006-07, which enrolled youths on large scale and this helped in reviving the dairy sector in the state,? Kaura said
?During the course, trainees get to learn the art of artificial insemination and milk management?, Kaura added.