Punjab has recorded highest per capita milk availability of 937 grams per day as per latest available data of 2010-11, though the same has dipped by about two per cent from the level of 957 grams per day as of 2006-07, noted a recent ASSOCHAM study.
“With about eight per cent share in India's total milk production of about 121 million tons (MT), Punjab is ranked fourth with annual milk production of 9.4 MT,” noted a study titled ‘Unlocking Growth of Potential of Indian Dairy Industry,’ conducted by The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM).
However, the State has registered slowest growth rate in milk production of just about three per cent during the five year period of 2006-07 and 2010-11 which is below all-India growth rate of about 19 per cent. Punjab is ranked at the last rung in this behalf amid top 20 States, highlighted the study conducted by the ASSOCHAM Economic Research Bureau.
“Besides, with dairy output worth over Rs 3,600 crore Punjab ranked seventh with about six per cent share in total dairy output worth over Rs 60,255 crore,” noted the ASSOCHAM study.
“While Punjab is ranked sixth in terms of direct employment being generated in registered dairy units and the state has a share of about four per cent in 1,493 registered dairy factories across India.”
Recording highest per-capita milk availability of 937 grams, Punjab was followed by Haryana with 679 grams milk availability, Rajasthan with 538 grams, Himachal Pradesh with 446 grams and Gujarat with 435 grams.
ASSOCHAM study pointed that concentration of milk production in some pockets together with high cost of transportation has led to rising disparity amid states in terms of per-capita milk availability.