National Dairy Plan phase-one launched by Sharad Pawar

ANAND: The ambitious Rs 2,242-crore National Dairy Plan phase-one (NDP-I) was launched on Thursday by Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar at NDDB, Anand.

The project aims to increase the productivity of milch animals and provide India's 70 million small-holder rural milk producers with greater access to the organised milk-processing sector.

The official release says the new central sector scheme is a six year plan and would be implemented in 14 major milk-producing states.

The initiative is largely financed with loan from the International Development Association of World Bank and implemented by National Dairy Development Board through end implementing agencies located in the states.