NDP eyes 65% milk procurement from cooperatives

Launching the National Dairy Plan-Phase 1 (NDP-1), union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar said that the government looks to increase milk procurement by co-operatives from current 30 per cent to 65 per cent in next 15 years.

"The co-operative sector is not growing satisfactorily. Therefore, we have amended the Constitution to increase transparency in the co-operative sector and facilitate setting up of producer companies or new generation co-operatives. Today, only 30 per cent of milk is procured by co-operatives which we aim to increase to 65 per cent in next 15 years," said Pawar at the launch of NDP here on Thursday.

At an initial outlay of Rs 2242 crore, the six year NDP-1 will be implemented in 14 major milk producing states including Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. While 80 per cent of the scheme will be financed through International Development Association (IDA) of World Bank, the rest will be funded by the Government of India and implemented by National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) through end implementing agencies (EIA)s in the states.

The total outlay for the National Dairy Plan has been set at Rs 17,000 crore, Pawar said.

"As of today, milk production is growing at four per cent which should increase to six per cent in the next few years. Through the NDP we intend to enhance breeding, feeding and milk procurement in the country to increase milk production," Pawar added.

The demand for milk is projected to be around 200 million tonnes in 2021-22 as against the production of 122.8 million tonnes in 2010-11. The plan is expected to cover about 1.2 million milk producers in 23,800 villages.

Talking about cotton exports, Pawar said that while 11 million bales were exported this year, the production estimates stand at 35 million bales, up by 2 million bales from last year.

"We have reports that about 30 per cent of cotton is still lying with the farmers. We also don't see any demand from textile mills. Plus, we have also seen a sudden rise in applications for exports in last 8-10 days and we are looking into the matter," said Pawar.

According to Pawar, after fulfilling domestic demands, India can still export 5 million bales. "However, this switch-on-switch-off policy in cotton exports will only send disruptive signals to overseas markets and India will be seen as an unreliable supplier," he added.

Further, in response to Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's comments on Centre's emphasis on meat exports hampering animal husbandry and milk production in India, Pawar said, "Meat exports policy has been there since 20 years and the UPA government has not made any amendments to it. Plus, cows and milking animals are totally banned from meat exports."

At Modi's request of raising Sardar Sarovar Dam's height, Pawar said that the move will only benefit Gujarat and its neighbouring states.

Meanwhile, speaking at the launch of NDP, Modi said, "Gujarat has taken considerable measures to enhance milk production and animal health. About 117 cattle diseases have been totally eradicated in Gujarat. However, we have suggested the central government to develop grasslands in certain zones so as to pre-empt famine situation in the country.