Milk production up 16.5 per cent in AP

Vijayawada: The state is making rapid progress in production of milk registering a growth rate of 16.50 per cent in the first five months of this financial year compared to same period in the previous financial year 2017-18.

The state produced 51.79 lakh metric tons of milk from April to August this year. During the same period in 2017-18, the state produced only 44.48 lakh metric tons of milk. The increase is 7.31 lakh metric tons with a growth rate of 16.50 per cent. The farmers are hopeful of continuing the same results in the remaining months of this financial year.

When the farmers of six districts in the state are in distress due to uncertain monsoon and deficit rainfall, the dairy farmers are producing good output. The state has 47 lakh cattle and 64.62 lakh buffaloes. Lakhs of farmers are benefitted with breeding of cattle and buffaloes.

As the government is sanctioning funds on subsidy for purchase of cattle and buffaloes to weaker sections, SC/STs, the farmers are earning revenue every month by sale of milk, curd and other dairy products. Quality milk yielding cows like Gir and Sahiwal gives 3,500 to 4,000 litres of milk in 300 days of a year. It shows, how farmers are benefited with the livestock.

The government is purchasing Murra, Gir and Sahiwal breeds in bulk quantities from other states and distributing to the beneficiaries, said joint director of animal husbandry department K Gabriel.

He said milk production plays crucial role in rural economy and added the government will invite tenders soon to buy livestock from Karnataka, Haryana and Punjab to distribute to farmers.

He said milk production was gradually increasing in the state and generating huge revenue to farmers and strengthening the rural economy. The milk production was only 90.82 lakh metric tons in 2013-14 and this was increased to 96.56 lakh metric tons by 2014-15.

By next financial year 2015-16, the milk production will be increased to 108.17 lakh metric tons with growth rate of 12.02 per cent. The milk production increased to 121.78 lakh metric tons in 2016-17 with increase of 12.58 per cent.

The milk production surged to 133 lakh metric tons by 2017-18. The state government has been distributing silege on subsidy rates to farmers to increase milk production and encouraging fodder cultivation also.

A senior official of animal husbandry department supervising the distribution of silege attributed the increase of milk production to implementation of Oorura Pasugrasa Kshetralu scheme where grass and vegetation is grown in 36,715 acres against annual target of 64,770 acres. Besides, Mega Pasugrasa Kshetralu have been established in 3,106 acres to produce feed to livestock.

In addition to it, the government had distributed 74,105 metric tons of sileage, 27,403 metric tons of total mixed ration (TMR-cattle feed) to farmers through self-help groups and Pasumitras in the state with an objective of increasing milk production.