Though India ranks first in the world in milk production, Odisha’s contribution to it remains very negligible with only 1.35 per cent production. In 2012-13, Odisha stood 13th in the list of States and Union Territories by producing 17.84 lakh tonnes against the country’s total production of 1,324.91 lakh tonnes of milk, according to the Odisha Economic Survey report which was presented in the State Assembly on Monday. Uttar Pradesh tops the list with production of 233.30 lakh tonnes of milk followed by Rajasthan with 139.46 lakh tonnes and Andhra Pradesh 127.62 lakh tonnes, the report said.
Though Odisha’s milk production is on the rise yet the trend remains very slow. It is evident from the fact that the milk production has not been doubled in the last 10 years despite many steps taken by the Government. The production in the State in 2003-04 stood at 9.97 lakh tonnes. The State has not been able to record an additional production of 2 lakh tonnes except in 2004-05 during the last 10-year period. The production had jumped from 9.97 lakh tonnes in 2003-04 to 12.83 lakh tonnes in 2004-05. In the following years, the production graph remained fluctuating till it reached 17.18 lakh tonnes in 2011.12 and a slow increase recorded in 2012-13 with 17.84 lakh tonnes.