The department of animal husbandry & dairying, Haryana plans to set up about 500 hi-tech dairies across the state by March 2009 under the hi-tech dairying scheme. The move is likely to improve the quality as well as productivity of the milk with the use of latest technology.
The small dairy farmers will be able to shift from the traditional dairying methods to modern ones and increase their earnings. The initiative will cost the department over Rs 70 crore with generation of additional employment for around 5,000 people.
A senior official of the department told FE, ?The basic motive behind launching this scheme is to help the small dairy units upgrade to contemporary methods so that scientific rearing and management of milch animals can be undertaken?.
?The process of milk production will take place in clean and hygienic conditions. The dairy farmers will also be able to identify quality animals for breeding programs. So far we have forwarded about 400 applications to various banks including State Bank of Patiala, Oriental Bank of Commerce, Allahabad Bank and Punjab National Bank for sanctioning of loan,? he added.
Under the scheme, anyone willing to set up a hi-tech dairy will have to maintain atleast 20 milch animals.
?The first large scale hi-tech dairy will come up at Bohatwala village in Jind and the construction work is in progress. Around 1,000 milch animals are being procured for the dairy by a farmer of the village. So far, 400 animals have already been procured. We are also imparting training to dairy entrepreneurs to take up this venture. Each hi-tech dairy will provide scientific methods of raring, management, feeding, breeding of milch animals along with the production of clean milk,? the official said.
The department has made arrangements for providing loans from the banks at subsidised rate of interest. 15% subsidy or Rs 1.5 lakh will be provided to all those setting up such dairies. The department has set apart Rs 7.5 crore as subsidy for these 500 hi-tech dairies. The official further added, ?50% of the insurance cost will be borne by the department. The milk production from these dairies will be purchased by the Haryana Dairy Development Corporative Federation at the best possible price. It will take care of the lifting and marketing activities of the milk as well.?
