Punjab Govt to encourage commercial dairy farming

Chandigarh, June 8 (UNI) The Punjab Government today finalized a plan to encourage commercial dairy farming by extensively using cross-breed cows to make dairying a financially viable proposition for farmers.

The plan was finalised by Punjab Cooperation Minister Kanwaljit Singh at a meeting with office bearers of Progressive Dairy Farmers Association here.

It was decided to focus on cross-breed cows rather than buffalos with twin purpose of increasing milk yield and also controlling the menace of adulterated milk in urban areas.

The Minister said it was the duty of the Milkfed to ensure sufficient fresh milk supply in the urban areas as well as in the neighbouring states like Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Delhi.

He said the farmers were keen to run commercial dairy farms on large-scale and keeping this in view it was decided to provide them required loan on cheaper rates from cooperative banks and technical guidance. This, he said, will help in cutting the cost of milk production considerably and getting the farmers remunerative price.

Capt Singh revealed that special emphasis will be laid on promoting commercial dairy farms in milk-shed areas, that is 15 kms from any milk plant, to save transportation charges and further pass the benefit to the dairy farmers.

He announced to constitute a special milk price fixation committee in which due representation would be given to commercial dairy farmers and asked them to register their separate cooperative society for getting representation in Board of Directors of Milkfed.

The Minister directed the Milkfed authorities to upgrade the existing milk testing system by introducing electronic machines which could be provided to the milk producing cooperative societies from their profits and ensuring timely payments to the dairy farmers.

He said he had already taken up the matter of implementation of centrally-sponsored schemes for dairy farmers with the Punjab Chief Minister and was hopeful of positive outcome.

On the issue of providing electricity on subsidised rates to dairy farms, Capt Singh said as the dairy farming was an allied occupation and most viable field for much-needed diversification in agriculture, he will take up the matter with the Chief Minister.

Earlier, Mr Daljit Singh, President, PDFA, gave a brief account of problems being faced by the commercial dairy farmers. He gave an assurance to extend full cooperation to the State Government and Milkfed to realise the dream of sufficient fresh milk supply across the state especially in the urban areas.

UNI