Chittoor District Collector announces a plan to boost milk production and support dairy farmers. Strategies include implementing higher milk prices, extending subsidy policies, and preparing for the 21st Livestock Census.
In a recent announcement, the District Collector of Chittoor outlined a comprehensive plan to enhance milk production in the district. This initiative, revealed during a meeting with local dairy representatives, aims to address challenges in milk pricing and production, benefiting dairy farmers and reinforcing the district’s reliance on both dairy farming and horticulture for livelihood.
Meeting with Dairy Representatives
The District Collector convened a meeting with representatives from 21 private dairies to discuss strategies for increasing milk production and adjusting milk prices. The discussion focused on addressing the existing disparity in milk prices among dairies and finding ways to better support local dairy farmers.
Proposed Strategies
Several key strategies were proposed during the meeting:
- Price Adjustments: The dairy representatives highlighted that variations in milk prices are influenced by demand-supply dynamics and competitive market factors. To address this, they suggested adopting a policy similar to one in Karnataka, which provides an additional ₹5 per liter to dairy farmers supplying to cooperative dairies. This policy aims to offer better financial support to farmers and stabilize milk prices.
- Year-Round Policy Implementation: The representatives proposed extending the Karnataka-style incentive policy throughout the year to ensure consistent support for dairy farmers.
- Increased Insurance Coverage: There was also a suggestion to increase the current insurance cover for dairy farmers to provide additional security and encourage milk production.
- Fodder Distribution: Animal Husbandry officers reported ongoing efforts to distribute sorghum and sorghum seeds for animal fodder, which is crucial for maintaining healthy livestock and improving milk production.
Livestock Census Drive
In addition to these strategies, the District Collector unveiled posters for the 21st All India Livestock Census-2024, scheduled from September to December 2024. This census will be conducted by a team of 67 supervisors and 568 enumerators. Their tasks will include collecting detailed livestock data from households and ensuring the accuracy of this information which will be crucial in implementing the government policies.
Importance of Livestock in Economic Stability
The Collector emphasized the vital role of livestock rearing in providing economic stability and nutritional security for rural families. The planned enhancements in milk production are expected to support the district’s agricultural and dairy sectors, fostering greater economic resilience and better livelihoods for farmers.
Chittoor’s initiative to boost milk production, coupled with the upcoming Livestock Census, represents a strategic effort to strengthen the dairy sector and support local farmers. The proposed measures, including price adjustments, policy extensions, and improved insurance coverage, aim to address current challenges and improve overall dairy production in the district. As the Livestock Census approaches, these efforts will contribute to more effective animal husbandry practices and enhanced support for the dairy industry.
