Bhubaneswar: Milk production in the state has increased threefold in the last two decades, informed Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik during the National Milk Day celebration here at Lokaseva Bhavan, Sunday. The CM said that Milk is essential for the growth of children because of its nutritious properties and the government is providing financial assistance up to Rs 1 crore under the Mukhyamantri Krushi Udyog Yojana for entrepreneurship development in the dairy sector. The National Milk Day, observed for the first time in the state, was joined virtually by dairy farmers and officials from all the districts.
In a video message, the Chief Minister said that the day is observed in India in honour of Verghese Kurien, the father of the white revolution, then going on to pay tributes to Kurien. The CM further said that under 5T initiative, an ultramodern dairy plant of five lakh litre capacity per day has been established at Arilo. Around three lakh dairy farmers are being benefitted through OMFED and the state government is taking measures like vaccination, and deworming of cattle. As dairy farming is related to the development of famers and women of the state, the state government is putting focus on it. Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Minister Ranendra Pratap Swain said that OMFED and private dairies in the state must ensure the production and supply of quality products for consumers of the state. Department Principal Secretary Suresh Kumar Vashishth has said that financial assistance of Rs1.18 lakh is being provided to farmers to establish small dairy units with two buffalos as a measure of providing livelihood and multiplying their income. Kishore Chandra Pradhani, president of OMFED, Sudhansu KK Mishra, CGM of NABARD, Gautam Patra, convenor of SLBC, and Ramesh Hazra, director of AH&VS also spoke on the occasion. Around 400 participants, including dairy farmers, entrepreneurs, OMFED officials, plant managers, OMFED board members, officials from F&ARD, and other departments were present at the event.