India to face severe shortage of milk soon

Chennai, Aug 2: India, being the world's largest producer of milk will now face severe shortage of milk shortly across the nation and will have to import it from foreign countries as warned Dr Narayan Mohanty, president, Veterinary Council of India.

According to survey, this shortage would be due to ineffective breeding programme, limited and non-availability of quality feed, lack of veterinary services and timely treatment of cattle. It reveals that the annual growth of milk production was 3.5 million tonnes, but the demand was over 6 million tones in the country. Productivity per animal is very poor in our country. It is about 987 kg per lactation, whereas the world average is 2,038 kg per lactation.

To meet the demands of the growing economy, surge in population and increase in health-consciousness there is a need to increase milk production by at least 5 to 5.5 per cent.

There is a need to enhance the overall livestock wealth of the country and Tamil Nadu is now lagging behind in milk production, compared to other states, opined Dr R. Prabakaran, vice chancellor, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University.

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