Lok Sabha Question No. 3489 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-17
Subject: Milk Producers in Maharashtra
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Shri Anup Sanjay Dhotre

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

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3489

TO BE ANSWERED ON 17 TH  DECEMBER, 2024

## MILK PRODUCERS IN MAHARASHTRA

## 3489. SHRI ANUP SANJAY DHOTRE:

## Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING मत्स्यपालन , पशुपालन और डेयरी मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a)    whether  the  Government  has  any  data  on  number  of  milk  producers  in  Maharashtra  who  have  been adversely affected by this policy change and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  has  any  proposal  to  consult  with  representatives  from  the  dairy  industry  in Maharashtra before deciding to lower import duties on powdered milk and if so, the outcomes of these consultations;
- (c)  the measures taken by the Government to implement and support milk producers in Maharashtra who are facing financial difficulties due to the lower import duties on powdered milk;
- (d)    the  manner  in  which  the  Government  intend  to  ensure  fair  market  conditions  for  domestic  milk producers in Maharashtra amidst increased competition from cheaper imported powdered milk; and
- (e)  whether the Government proposes to regulate or stabilize milk prices to safeguard the interests of local producers and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b) The Import duty on Skimmed Milk Powder has not been lowered and hence milk producers are not adversely affected.
- (c) Does not arise.
- (d) &  (e)  The  Department  of  Animal  Husbandry  &  Dairying  (DAHD),  Government  of  India  does  not regulate the procurement and sale prices of milk and milk products in the country. Prices are decided by the cooperative and private dairies based on their cost of production and market forces.

However,  Department  of  Animal  Husbandry  &  Dairying  (DAHD),  GoI  is  implementing  the following  Dairy  Development  schemes  across  the  country  including  Maharashtra  to  supplement  the efforts for milk production and milk processing infrastructure made by the State Government:

- (i) National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD)
- (ii) Supporting  Dairy  Cooperatives  &  Farmer  Producer  Organisations  engaged  in  dairy activities (SDCFPO)
- (iii) Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF)
- (iv) Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM)
- (v) National Livestock Mission (NLM)
- (vi) Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP)

These  schemes  are  helping  in  improving  milk  productivity  of  bovines,  expanding  network  of  dairy cooperatives, strengthening of dairy infrastructure, working capital requirement, enhancing availability of feed and fodder and providing animal health services. These interventions help to reduce the cost of milk production and also help to enhance income of milk producers from dairy farming.

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