The Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh informed that it is a matter of immense pride that our country is number one in milk production in the world.
In the year 2015-16, the growth rate of milk production has been 6.28 per cent due to which total production has reached 156 million tonnes. And now, per person milk availability is 337 gram on an average, while on the world level it is 229 gram. It is worth mentioning that in comparison to the years 2011-14, the growth in milk production during the years 2014-17 has been 16.9 per cent.
India is world’s highest livestock owner at about 512.05 million out of which 199.1 million are bovines, 105.3 million buffaloes, 71.6 million sheep and 140.5 million goats. In the case of goats, India is at the second position in the world and it is approximately 25 % of the livestock.
India is second largest poultry market in the world and it includes the production of 63 billion eggs and 649 million poultry meat. India’s marine and fish industry are growing at around 7 percent compound annual growth rate. Overall, India’s livestock sector is growing fast and emerging as a major contributor in the global market.
The Government is ensuring the quality of education in universities is of international standards. In this direction, ICAR’s Fifth Deans Committee Report has been approved. Schemes like ‘Student’ and ‘Arya’ have been started with scholarships. Students’ scholarship amount has been increased.
The Government is committed to double farmers’ income by 2022 and veterinaries play a significant role in fulfilling the Government’s resolution to double the farmers’ income.
The Agriculture Minister inaugurated the polytechnic at Kamdhenu University, Sabarkantha in Gujarat. He also informed that the Government of India has undertaken several new initiatives in the field of animal husbandry in Gujarat. Under Rashtriya Gokul Mission, on the lines of Gokul Gram ‘Gir, Cow Sanctuary’ has been approved. This will be established in Dharampur, Porbandar under Livestock insurance coverage. Earlier only two milk animals were included , now 5 milk animals and 50 small animals are included. This scheme has been implemented in all the districts of the Gujarat state, whereas earlier only 15 districts were included.
To fulfil the shortage of veterinarians, a veterinary college has been established in Junagadh.
