Dr. Neelesh Sharma and Dr. Sandeep Kour
India is blessed with rich population of livestock and stands at 1st position in the world in milk production. This is reflected in the fact that the total livestock population of India is 535.78 million with 192.52 million cattle and 109.85 million buffaloes. Livestock provides livelihood to two-third of rural community. Animal husbandry is the backbone of socioeconomic status of farmers as it provides an additional and steady income throughout the year. It provides employment to about 8.8% of the population in India. Further, it contributes 4.11% GDP and 25.6% of total Agriculture GDP. The livestock farming is an important socio-economic activity in Indian agriculture, as milk is the second largest agricultural commodity contributing to GNP (Gross National Products). It has provided livelihoods to millions of the poorest in our country and for many it is the sole source of livelihood bringing cash into their hands, twice a day every day of the year. It is the single largest agricultural commodity contributing 5% of the national economy. Milk is a significant source of both energy and protein, including many essential amino acids lacking in carbohydrate-based diets. Milk also contains many essential micro-nutrients, such as Vitamins A and D. Increased milk consumption is therefore assumed to improve nutritional outcomes for households. Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that India produces milk worth Rs 8.5 lakh crore annually, more than the turnover of wheat and rice, and underlined that small farmers are the biggest beneficiaries of the dairy sector. In 2018, India produced 186 million tonnes of milk which was 22% of that year’s global total milk production of 843 million tonnes, according to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The milk production has gone to 187.7 million tonnes in 2018-19 from 92.5 million tonnes in 2004-2005. Milk output grew 5% over 2017 levels in India, while it was just around 1% in the European Union and the US. The annual growth rate of milk production has increased from 3.74% in 2009-10 to 6.47 % in 2018-19. This growth is expected to sustain in the coming years; the Niti Aayog says India will produce 300 million tonnes of milk by 2022.
Further dairy sector is important economic attribute in UT of Jammu and Kashmir. The total livestock population (cattle and buffalo) of UT is 31.45 lakhs (20th livestock census) comprising 20.04 lakhs for Jammu region and11.41 lakhs for Kashmir region. The total daily milk production of J&K UT is 70 lakh litres out of which Jammu division shares 30 lakh litres and Kashmir division shares 40 lakh litres. The milk production of J&K UT in 2013-2014 was 1614.67 thousand metric tonnes and it has increased to 2540.11thousand metric tonnes in 2018-19. The per capita availability of milk is around 394gm day in 2018-19 from 233 gm/day in 2004-2005. The average yield per animal has increased to 7.91 kg per day in 2018-19 from 5.65 kg/day in 2013-14. In order to supplement this production & generate employment in the sector, the government of UT has launched various schemes under UT CAPEX for inclusive development of livestock sector which includes integrated dairy development scheme. The scheme aims to provide 50% subsidy with fixed ceilings for establishment of dairy units, establishment of Milk collection/chilling/processing unit, establishment of market infrastructure including milk ATMs, establishment of milk transportation system etc. In order to increase milk production/productivity in cattle and buffaloes, breeding infrastructure/services have been strengthened by increasing Artificial Insemination coverage from existing 29% to 70% through implementation of CSS- Rashtriya Gokul Mission in the UT targeting 100% coverage of breedable bovines under Flagship Scheme Nationwide AI Program Phase II with free of cost Artificial Insemination service at farmers doorstep. Dairy sector has been recognized by the government as one of the growth engines of the Indian economy. Growth in human population, urbanization and changing lifestyle in the country have led to increase in demand for livestock products. Milk consumption is rising across the globe due to rising economic prosperity, relative cost advantage, evolution of fast-food chains leading to broader acceptability and with milk and eggs being a high nutrition value, affordable and quality source of animal protein. To improve the milk production and productivity of dairy animals, Central and State Government has taken initiatives through implementation of various dairy development programmes over the years. Provision of necessary infra structural facilities would provide the necessary impetus for the dairy farmers to pursue value addition and dairy processing activities and thereby increase their income by several times. Hence serious efforts should be taken by the government to create these facilities gradually so as to capture the momentum. The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) designated June 1st as World Milk Day in 2001.
(The authors are from Division of Veterinary Medicine, F.V.Sc. & A.H., SKUAST-Jammu).
