Milk production rises in Bihar to 18 lakh litres now: Nitish Kumar

DEHRI-ON-SONE: Describing agriculture as the mainstay of Bihar economy, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today said that the state government had increased milk production from 4.5 lakh litres in 2005 to 18 lakh litres now.

When the NDA had assumed power in November 2005, milk production in the state was 4.5 lakh litre which has risen to 18 lakh litre now due to hard work, the CM said after inaugurating a dairy project here in Rohtas district.

The project is the first plant in the state for production of cheese.

"We will continue to increase potential of milk production in the state," he said.

The Bihar CM said after division of the state into Jharkhand, the state was left with limited natural resources. "Agriculture is the backbone of Bihar and we wish to further develop it," he added.

The state would progress faster only when the income of farmers increase manifold, the CM said.

Addressing the function, Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi asked while interest on agriculture loan was 3 per cent and that for purchase of vehicles 7-8 per cent, why was loan given for rearing animals, fishery and egg production at a flat rate of 12-13 per cent.

He urged the CM to take up the matter with Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram.

Animal Husbandry Minister Giriraj Singh said that the state government was committed to economic empowerment of farmers in the state.