Agriculture minister pitches for promoting indigenous cow's milk

Union Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh on Tuesday strongly pitched for separate system to procure, process and market the milk of 'desi' (indigenous) cows.

"There is need for separate (system for) procurement, processing and marketing of desi cow's milk. Such milk must fetch premium price. It will not only help improve the rural economy but also lead to development and conservation of native cattle breeds," Singh said in a statement here.

The government schemes may be modified to encourage setting up of dairy units/milk plants for processing and marketing of desi cow's milk, he said.

The statement said the minister discussed the issue with top officials of the Indian Council of Agriculture Research, Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, National Dairy Development Board and other industry representatives.

--IANS

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