Lok Sabha Question No. 2650 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-05
Subject: Encouraging SHGs  in Villages to Supply Milk
Ministry: FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
Asked by: Shri Arun Govil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2650 TO BE ANSWERED ON 5 TH  AUGUST 2025

## ENCOURAGING SHGS IN VILLAGES TO SUPPLY MILK

2650. SHRI ARUN GOVIL:

Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING

## मत्स्यपालन , पशुपालन और डेयरी मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the country has become the largest milk producer in the world due as 65% of the buffaloes of the world are available in the country and details of policies of the Government are available in this regard;
- (b) whether the Government has any plans to encourage Self Help Groups(SGHs) so that the milk can be supplied to the nearest towns and thereby enhancing the income of the villagers/milkmen; and
- (c) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  policy/proposals  of  the  Government  for  the  healthcare  of  dairy animals?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING

## (PROF. S.P. SINGH BAGHEL)

- (a) Yes, India is the largest milk producer in the world since 1998. In the year 2023, India produced approximately 104.39 million tonnes of buffalo milk, accounting for 69.43%. India's contribution to the global population of in-milk buffaloes has shown an upward trend, rising from 63.02% in 2022 to 64.06% in 2023 (Source FAO). Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), Government  of  India  (GoI)  is  implementing  the  following  schemes  across  the  country  to complement and supplement the efforts for milk production and milk processing infrastructure made by the State Government:
1. Rashtriya  Gokul  Mission  (RGM): RGM  is  implemented  for  development  and conservation  of  indigenous  breeds,  genetic  upgradation  of  bovine  population  and enhancement of milk production and productivity of bovines.
2. National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD): NPDD is implemented with following 2 components:
- (i) Component ''A'' of NPDD focuses on creating/strengthening of infrastructure for quality  milk  testing  equipment  as  well  as  primary  chilling  facilities  for  State
- Cooperative Dairy Federations/ District Cooperative Milk Producers' Union/ Self Help Groups (SHGs)/ Milk Producer Companies/ Farmer Producer Organizations.
- (ii) Component ''B'' of the NPDD scheme "Dairying through Cooperatives' aims to increase sale of milk and dairy products by increasing farmer's access to organized market,  upgrading  dairy  processing  facilities  and  marketing  infrastructure  and enhancing the capacity of producer owned institutions.
3. Supporting  Dairy  Cooperatives  &  Farmer  Producer  Organisations  engaged  in dairy  activities  (SDCFPO): To  assist  the  State  Dairy  Cooperative  Federations  by providing interest subvention (regular 2% and additional 2% on prompt repayment) with respect to soft working capital loan to tide over the crisis on account severely adverse market conditions or natural calamities.
4. Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) :  AHIDF provides interest  subvention  at  the  rate  3%  per  annum  for  creation/  strengthening  of  livestock product processing and diversification infrastructure thereby providing greater access for unorganized producer members to organized market.
5. National  Livestock  Mission  (NLM): to  bring  sharp  focus  on  entrepreneurship development  and  breed  improvement  in  poultry,  sheep,  goat,  piggery  and  fodder  by providing the incentivization to the individual, FPOs, SHGs, Section 8 companies for entrepreneurship development and also to the State Government for breed improvement infrastructure
6. Livestock  Health  and  Disease  Control  Programme  (LHDCP): to  provide  for prophylactic  vaccination  against  animal  diseases,  capacity  building  of  veterinary services, disease surveillance, and strengthening veterinary infrastructure. Also, a new component  of  Pashu  Aushadhi  is  added  under  the  scheme  ensure  availability  of affordable generic veterinary medicine across the country through Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samriddhi Kendras (PM-KSK) and Cooperative Societies. This will create an ecosystem for Generic Medicine which will be affordable and of good quality.
- (b) and (c) Yes, the Government encourages Self Help Groups (SHGs) to engage in dairy activities to enhance  farmers'  incomes.  SHGs  are  eligible  for  support  under  NPDD,  AHIDF,  and  NLM schemes,  which  provide  assistance  for  infrastructure,  processing,  marketing,  and  capacity building.  For  dairy  animal  healthcare,  the  Livestock  Health  and  Disease  Control  Programme (LHDCP)  is  being  implemented  nationwide,  focusing  on  disease  control,  vaccination,  and veterinary services to improve productivity and animal welfare.

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