Centre starts dairy scheme with Rs 130 crore outlay for FY'13

NEW DELHI: The government today said it has commenced the first phase of a central scheme in 13 states to develop dairy sector with an outlay of Rs 130.71 crore for this fiscal.

The National Dairy Plan, a central scheme funded by the World Bank and being implemented by National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), has started operations in 13 major dairying states, an official statement said.

Highlighting the progress made by the scheme so far, NDDB Chairman Amrita Patel said, "Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal are likely to be covered in a month's time."

An outlay of Rs 130.71 crore has been approved for 2012-13 fiscal and covers 49 proposals.

A baseline survey has been completed in nine states and all 14 major dairying states will be covered by the end of the current fiscal, she added.

Under the scheme, milk production would be raised by increasing the productivity of milch animals through a scientific and systematic process. The activities under NDP will contribute to production of high genetic merit bulls, make available high quality fodder seeds and provide milk producers better oppportunities for sale of surplus milk.

NDDB also mentioned that it has conducted workshops for better implementation of the scheme with various stakeholders besides giving training programmes for farmers and officials of dairy cooperatives. India is the world's largest milk producer.