Chief Minister Raghubar Das aspires not only to make this State independent in the field of milk production rather enabling it to produce milk for other States also. Das directed the concerned officials to prepare a work programme in this regard which could be implemented phase wise to make it happen on the ground. The CM was speaking on Wednesday at his office in Ranchi during a meeting with the Chairman of National Dairy Development Authority T Nand Kumar.
Das further added that development of the State is possible only with the development of the rural areas having farming and animal husbandry an important factor. “Considering the increasing demand of milk and its products, it is important that the production of milk is improved. It is however, unfortunate that Jharkhand holds second position on the parameters of undernourishment,” said the CM.
According to the CM, the State could be made self-dependent through formation of cooperatives making the State free from undernourishment. There was immense possibility in this field for cooperative and tribal welfare getting a respite from the problems of Naxalism and emigration, added the CM. Das also stressed on inducting the state into National Dairy Plan.
The CM also said that people in the state can adopt animal husbandry as a business. They only need to be given proper facilities and opportunities. The milk producers can be given minimum procurement price through organised milk collection system. Because of the absence of such system, the milk produces get exploited by the mediators; rural women could also be given an opportunity by forming Women’s Cooperative, he added.
Stressing on the construction of Animal Hostel, Das said that deployment of over 500 Veterinary Doctors could also be utilised properly and added that help from ‘Krishi-Mitra’ could also be taken to enhance the income of the rural population.
NDDB Chairman Kumar however, assured that the state will extend all possible support regarding improving milk production and said that a work plan prepared by the experts of the board will be given to Jharkhand so that the State could be made self reliant in the field of milk production. “If land is made available by the State Government, a dairy farm parallel to Sudha Dairy will be set up in the State,” said Kumar.