Goa's dairy farming rises, milk production up 20%

The number of dairy farmers in Goa has more than doubled during the past year, boosting the production of milk by almost 20 per cent, signalling a white revolution in rural areas of the coastal state.

State government officials claim that schemes implemented by Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services (AHVS) are driving the production as more people take to dairy farming.

Official statistics reveal that the production has risen from 40,000 litres per day during 2011 to 51,000 litres per day from December 2012 onwards.

Officials also claim that milk production will touch 68,000 litres by end of fiscal 2013. The number of farmers registered under various schemes implemented by Animal Husbandry And Veterinary Services (AHVS) has increased from 6,067 last year to 15,557 in the current year.

Giriraj Vernekar, Special Assistant to Chief Minister in-charge of agriculture and AHVS said that the schemes were tailor-made for the requirements of dairy farmers.

"The aim was to make dairy business lucrative. The farmers should get the profits," he said. The flagship Kamdhenu scheme was modified after Manohar Parrikar took over the reins giving more incentives to the farmers, Vernekar said. Official records reveal that Kamdhenu scheme subsidy worth Rs 1.9 crore was distributed during the current fiscal as against Rs 82 lakh during last fiscal. The incentives worked and the number of farmers swelled. "I have come across a dairy farmer who has constructed a house and can afford a monthly EMI of Rs 25,000," Vernekar said.

Goa, which has a requirement of 3.5-4 lakh litres of milk every day is largely dependent on neighbouring states for the supply. The cooperative movement in Goa Milk Union was not fruitful, as milk production remained low till end of last year. "Things are changing now for better. We have set a target of having one lakh litres of additional milk production from Goa itself, which will decrease our dependence on other states, B Braganza, Director, AVHS said.

Around 5,000 new animals would be purchased by various farmers in the state, he added.