- विज्ञापन -
Gandhinagar: Gujarat’s Animal Husbandry Minister Raghavji Patel informed the Assembly on Wednesday that the state government has provided Rs 42.19 lakh in financial aid to 39 dairy farmers in Gir Somnath district under the “12-Milch Animal Dairy Farm Establishment Assistance Scheme” during the 2023-24 financial year.
Patel highlighted that dairy farming has evolved from a supplementary agricultural activity to a standalone business, driven by the growing demand for milk and its economic potential.
Launched in 2018-19, the scheme aims to enhance farmers’ income by offering subsidies for cattle purchases, loan interest, cattle insurance, and infrastructure development, including cattle sheds, milking machines, and fogging systems.
The state government is committed to strengthening the dairy sector to provide sustainable livelihoods for farmers. Gujarat’s dairy industry operates largely on a cooperative model, with more than a million members, and the state is recognized as the largest milk producer in India.
Gujarat contributes over 15% of the country’s total milk production, with daily production exceeding 2 crore litres. Key dairy hubs are located in districts such as Banaskantha, Anand, Mehsana, and Kheda, with Banaskantha producing over 60 lakh litres daily, making it Asia’s top milk-producing district.
To further support dairy farmers, Gujarat has introduced various initiatives, including subsidies for cattle purchases, fodder management, and dairy infrastructure. The 12-Milch Animal Dairy Farm Scheme provides financial aid, interest subsidies, and insurance to farmers setting up dairy farms with 12 cows.
In 2023-24, 39 farmers in Gir Somnath district received Rs 42.19 lakh under this scheme. Banaskantha’s Banas Dairy, part of the Amul cooperative network, stands as Asia’s largest dairy cooperative, with a peak milk procurement of nearly 5.96 million litres in January 2018. The district is also a leader in cold supply chain infrastructure, with 1,280 bulk milk chilling units ensuring most milk is procured as chilled raw milk.
