Lok Sabha Question No. 1193 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-11
Subject: Dairy Value Chain
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Shri Ve Vaithilingam

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY & DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY & DAIRYING

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1193 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11 th  FEBRUARY 2025

## DAIRY VALUE CHAIN

## 1193. SHRI VE VAITHILINGAM:

Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING

## मत्स्यपालन , पशुपालन और डेयरी मंत्री

be pleased to State:

- (a)  whether  the  Indian  dairy  sector  serves  as  a  source  of  nutrition  for  millions  and  provides additional employment and income opportunities to millions of rural farmer households, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (b) whether the Government concurs with the view that there is a need to strengthen the dairy value chain right from quality feed, breed, processing, value addition to market linkages; and
- (c) if so, the details of the steps proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE HON'BLE MINISTER OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING (SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH)

- (a) Yes, Sir.  Animal Husbandry is an important sub-sector of Indian agricultural economy and plays  a  multifaceted  role  in  providing  nutrition  and  livelihood  support  to  the  rural  population. Milk plays an important role in nutritional security as it is important source of animal protein. Milk is  a  near  complete food  and  has  high  nutritive  value.  It  contains  body  building  proteins, bone forming minerals, health giving vitamins, furnishes energy giving lactose and milk fat. Milk and dairy products are vital sources of nourishment for billions globally, benefiting people of all ages,  from  young  children  to  older  adults,  by  supporting  health  and  active  lifestyles.  Nutrientdense  and  energy-rich,  milk  provides  high-quality  protein  along  with  essential  micronutrients, including calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc, and phosphorus, all in forms that the body can readily absorb. Numerous studies highlight the key role of milk and dairy in supporting healthy nutrition and development throughout life, particularly during childhood. As of date per capita availability of milk  has increased to 471 gram / day higher than, ICMR recommendation of 300 gram/ day. The livestock sector apart from contributing to national economy in general and to agricultural  economy  in  particular  also  provides  employment  generation  opportunities,  asset creation, handling mechanism against crop failure and social and financial security. The benefit of the schemes has been accruing to all farmers engaged in dairying in terms of enhancement in milk production and productivity of bovines. Value of output of milk is more than Rs.11.16 lakh crore  during  2022-23  (As  per  National  Accounts  Statistics  2024)    which  is  the  highest  of  the agriculture produce and even more than the combined value of Paddy and Wheat. The schemes are  playing  important  role  in  enhancing  milk  production  and  productivity  of  bovines  to  meet growing  demand  of  milk  and  making  dairying  more  remunerative  to  the  rural  farmers  of  the country.
- (b) and (c) Yes, Sir. In order tostrengthen the dairy value chain right from quality feed, breed, processing, value addition to market linkages the following steps are undertaken by Government of India:
1. Rashtriya Gokul Mission: Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government  of  India  is  implementing  Rashtriya  Gokul  Mission  since  December  2014  for development and conservation  of  indigenous  breeds,  genetic  upgradation  of  bovine  population

and  enhancement  of  milk  production  and  productivity  of  bovines.  Following  steps  are  taken under the scheme to enhance milk production and productivity of bovines:

(i) Nationwide  Artificial  Insemination  Program:  Under  the  Rashtriya  Gokul  Mission,  the Department  of  Animal  Husbandry  and  Dairying,  Government  of  India  is  expanding  artificial insemination  coverage  to  boost  the  milk  production  and  productivity  of  bovines,  including indigenous breeds. As on date, 8.32 crore animals have been covered, with 12.20 crore artificial inseminations performed, benefiting 5.19 crore farmers.

(ii) Progeny Testing and Pedigree Selection: This program aims to produce high genetic merit bulls,  including  bulls  of  indigenous  breeds.  Progeny  testing  is  implemented  for  Gir,  Sahiwal breeds  of  cattle,  and  Murrah,  Mehsana  breeds  of  buffaloes.  Under  the  Pedigree  selection programme  Rathi,  Tharparkar,  Hariana,  Kankrej  breed  of  cattle  and  Jaffarabadi,  Nili  Ravi, Pandharpuri and Banni breed of buffalo are covered. So far 3,988 high genetic merit bulls have produced and inducted for semen production.

(iii) Implementation of In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Technology: To propagate elite animals of indigenous  breeds,  the  Department  has  established  22  IVF  laboratories.  The  technology  has important  role  in  genetic  upgradation  of  bovine  population  in  single  generation.  Further,  to deliver  technology  at  reasonable  rates  to  farmers  Government  has  launched  indigenously developed IVF media.

(iv) Sex-Sorted  Semen  Production:  The  Department  of  Animal  Husbandry  and  Dairying, Government  of  India  has  established  sex  sorted  semen  production  facilities  at  5  government semen stations located in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh. 3 private semen stations are also producing sex sorted semen doses. So far 1.15 crore sex-sorted semen doses from high genetic merit bulls have been produced and made available for Artificial Insemination.

(v) Genomic  Selection:  To  accelerate  genetic  improvement  of  cattle  and  buffaloes,  the Department has developed unified genomic chips-Gau Chip for indigenous cattle and Mahish Chip for buffaloes-specifically designed for initiating genomic selection in the country.

(vi) Multi-purpose Artificial Insemination Technicians in Rural India (MAITRIs): Under the scheme MAITRIs are trained and equipped to deliver quality Artificial Insemination services at farmers'  doorstep.  During  the  last  3  years  38,736  MAITRIs  have  been  trained  and  equipped under Rashtriya Gokul Mission.

(vii) Accelerated Breed Improvement Programme using sex sorted semen: This program aims to  produce female calves with up to 90% accuracy, thereby enhancing breed improvement and farmers'  income.  Farmers  receive  support  for  assured  pregnancy  upto  50%  of  the  cost  of  sex sorted semen. As of now, 341,998 farmers have been benefited from this program. Government has launched indigenously developed sex sorted semen technology to deliver sex sorted semen at reasonable rates to farmers.

(viii) Accelerated Breed Improvement Programme using In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) technology:  This  technology  is  utilized  for  the  rapid  genetic  upgradation  of  bovines  and  an incentive of Rs 5,000 per assured pregnancy is made available to farmers interested in taking up IVF technology.

2. National Livestock Mission (NLM): The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India is implementing NLM scheme since the financial year 2014-15. In view of the  present  need  of  the  sector the  NLM  scheme has been revised and realigned from  financial year  2021-22.  The  National  Livestock  Mission  along  with  along  other  components  and subcomponents of the scheme covers Sub-Mission on feed and fodder development.

The Sub-Mission of the feed and fodder is covering the following activities:

Activity I: Assistance for quality Fodder seed production: 100%  incentivization for production of all categories of fodder seed production by Central and State Govt. institutions;

Activity II: Entrepreneurial activities in feed and fodder: One time 50% capital subsidy up to Rs 50 lakh is provided to the Individuals. SHG, FCOs JLG, FPOs, Dairy Cooperative societies, section  8  companies  are  incentivized  for  the  value  addition  such  as  Hay/Silage/Total  Mixed Ration(TMR)/ Fodder Block.

Activity III: Establishment of Entrepreneurs for Fodder Seed processing Infrastructure (processing and grading unit/ fodder seed storage godown):  One time 50% capital subsidy up to Rs 50 lakh is provided to companies, start-ups/ SHGs/FPOs/FCOs/JLGs/ Cooperative societies Section  8  companies  and  other  credible  organizations  for  establishing  fodder  seed  processing infrastructure.

Activity IV: Fodder production from Non-Forest Wasteland / Rangeland / Non-arable Land' and 'Fodder Production from Forest Land: The Central assistance is provided for production of various fodder in the degraded non-forest wasteland / rangeland / grassland/ non-arable land and forest land to enhance the vegetation cover of problematic soils like saline, acidic and heavy soil.

The  Scheme  National  Livestock  Mission  also  provides  assistance  to  States/  UTs  for  livestock Insurance and component  is implemented on 60:40 sharing basis between the Central Government and States and 90:10 sharing basis for North-Eastern and Himalayan States. Along with  other  livestock  species  dairy  animals  including  cattle  buffaloes  are  covered  under  the component.

3. National  Programme  for  Dairy  Development:  This  scheme  focuses  on  creating  dairy infrastructure for the procurement, processing, and marketing of milk and milk products in the cooperative  dairy  sector  inter  alia  training  and  awareness  programs  for  dairy  farmers,  input services such as cattle-feed and mineral mixtures, and assistance for quality testing of milk and milk products, thereby improving the economic  condition of dairy farmers enrolled in cooperatives.
4. Livestock  Health  and  Disease  Control  (LH  &  DC):  The  scheme  is  implemented  for providing assistance for control of animal diseases like Foot and Mouth Disease, Brucellosis and also  to  provide  assistance  to  State  Governments  for  Control  of  other  infectious  diseases  of livestock including dairy animals. Mobile Veterinary Units are established under the scheme to deliver quality livestock health services at farmers doorstep. Under the vaccination programme: (i) more than 100 crore vaccinations have been done against FMD including 35 crore vaccination performed  during  current  year;  and  (ii)  about  4.3  crore  calves  vaccinated  against  Brucellosis under brucellosis control programme including 1.3 crore calves vaccinated during current year. Under the component  of Establishment and Strengthening of Veterinary Hospitals and Dispensaries  (ESVHD-  MVU),  100%  financial  assistance  is  provided  towards  procurement  & customization of Mobile Veterinary Units (MVUs) with recurring operational expenditure in the ratio of 90:10 for North Eastern & Himalayan States; 60% for other States, and 100% for UTs for delivery  of  veterinary  healthcare  services  through  Mobile  Veterinary  Units  (MVUs)  through  a Toll-Free  Number  (1962)  at  farmers'  doorsteps  which  include  disease  diagnosis,  treatment, vaccination, minor surgical interventions, audio-visual aids and extension services. So far, 4016 MVUs are operational in 28 states and 65 lakh farmers benefitted.
5. Animal  Husbandry  Infrastructure  Development  Fund  (AHIDF)  The  scheme  is    to facilitate incentivisation of investments to establish (i) Dairy processing and product diversification infrastructure, (ii) Meat processing and product diversification infrastructure and (iii) Animal Feed Plant (iv) Breed Improvement Technology and Breed Multiplication Farm, (v) Veterinary  Vaccine  and  Drugs  production  facilities,  (vi)  Animal  waste  to  wealth  management (Agri-waste  Management).  Keeping  in  view  of  the  success  of  AHIDF,  the  erstwhile  Dairy Processing Infrastructure Development Fund has been subsumed with the AHIDF on 01.02.2024. Now total size of the fund is Rs 29110 crore.  So far 131 projects of dairy processing with the total  project  cost  of  Rs  5976  crore  has  been  sanctioned  under  the  scheme  and  77  breed improvement projects with the total project cost of Rs 1027.82 crore.