No climate change impact on milk production if local cows

The country will not face any problem arising from a climate change impacting milk production even after a decade if local breed of cows are "conserved and developed", Union Agriculture Minister Radhamohan Singh said here today.
"We have 17 per cent of foreign or mix-breed cow progenies, while there are 83 per cent indigenous breed. If productivity from these 83 per cent can be increased, then we will advance well in milk producing sector," Singh said at Anand town in Kheda district.
He was here to launch the golden jubilee year celebration of National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), known for spearheading milk revolution in the country.

"Besides, there is a danger of climate change which can have impact (on) milk production of foreign breeds. If we will focus on the development of 83 per cent of our indigenous cows, if we can conserve them, then we will not face any problem (of milk production) (arising) from climate change even after ten years," Singh added.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Rashtriya Gokul Mission' aimed at conserving cows, the minister said the indigenous cow breed must be improved to tackle any future eventuality.
"Through this mission, we will take several NGOs and cooperative societies together to conserve the Indian breed of cows and our government will allocate Rs 500 crore for that," he said.

Observing that there is a pressing need for rapid growth in the milk-producing sectors, Singh said merely agriculture sector cannot fulfil aspirations of farmers and people have to look at horticulture, fisheries and dairy sectors as well.

He also advocated a need to provide cow milk separately in Indian market.
During his address, the minister recalled the political situation under UPA-II regime dubbing it as "stagnant".
"Remember the situation before 5 to 6 months, there was stagnancy in the country. People in my region were thinking that this country cannot be saved. But at that time Gujarat gave a message to this country. Gujarat sparked a ray of hope in people of India and fastened the country's growth. And we can see a good impact now," Singh said.