AP Govt ropes in SHGs for milk procurement: Minister

Hyderabad, Jan 12 (UNI) Roping in women self-help groups (SHGs) in a big way for procurement of milk and setting up 136 bulk chilling units (BCUs), the Andhra Pradesh Government has drawn up ambitious plans to produce additional ten lakh litres of milk per day this year.

Inaugurating a ''Dairy India Expo 2008'' here today, Animal Husbandry Minister Mandali Budda Prasad said the state government had allocated Rs 120 crore to strengthen the dairy sector supply chain network through decentralisation of milk procurement and involvement of women SHGs.

Each BCUs would procure milk from about 20 surrounding villages and preserve them at the Mandal Samakyas, which in turn would supply milk to the Andhra Pradesh Dairy Development Cooperative Federation, he said.

The State, which produced 191.53 lakh litres per day (LLPD), stood fourth in the country in production of milk and milk products.

By allocating Rs 500 crore, the state government had made available one lakh hybrid milch animals at 50 per cent subsidy to the farmers to supplement their income and prevent them from taking the extreme step of ending their lives due to debt trap.

Dairy automation equipment manufucturers from various countries, including Canada and US, displayed their products. Other products showcased at the Expo, organised by NRS forums, include automated milk collection with computerised data processor, milk product packaging machines, automatic fill and seal machines and animal health products.

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