Government poised to double growth in milk productivity by 2027
The Jammu and Kashmir government hopes to achieve remarkable growth in average annual milk productivity, from 2380 litres to 4300 litres by 2027.
Jammu and Kashmir is home to a thriving bovine industry, with about 31.45 lakh bovines the region accounts for 1.04% of India’s total bovine population.
Out of the total bovine population, 10.90 lakh cattle and buffaloes are considered breedable and have the potential to contribute towards the region’s milk economy.
As per ISS-2020-21, the annual milk production in J&K is 25.94 lakh MT and the average annual milk production per cow in the region stands at 2380 litre, which is higher than the national average. The milk economy in J&K is valued at Rs 9080 cr which plays a crucial role in UT’s agri-economy.
Dairy farming is a major source of livelihood for many rural families and is constantly growing, with a focus on increasing milk productivity under CSS-RGM and improving the quality of milk besides upgrading milk collection, processing and marketing infrastructure under CSS-NPDD.
The dairy industry in J&K holds immense potential for UT’s economy, providing employment opportunities and contributing to the local population’s well-being.
With the increasing demand for dairy products and the per capita availability of milk being lower than many milk potential states, the dairy sector is poised for significant growth in the UT in the coming years.
The J&K government has taken a major step towards boosting the agriculture and allied sectors with the recent launch of the Holistic Agriculture Development Program (HADP).
This comprehensive program was expertly drafted by a team of Technical Working Groups under the guidance of the Agriculture Production Department, led by the distinguished scientist Dr .Mangla Rai, former DG of ICAR.
The HADP is a comprehensive program that aims to address various challenges faced by the agriculture and allied sectors including the dairy industry in J&K besides providing ample employment opportunities for the local population.
The J&K government is committed to supporting the dairy sector and ensuring its sustainable growth, thereby contributing to the overall economic development of the UT.
The HADP encompasses 29 innovative projects, including a visionary plan for dairy development in J&K over the next five years. This dairy development project focuses on one of the most critical components i.e; increasing milk productivity through wider implementation of Artificial Insemination (AI) by involving private AI workers.
By successfully executing this intervention, the J&K government hopes to achieve remarkable growth in average annual milk productivity.
