Anand: Gujarat Chief Minister Mr. Vijaybhai Rupani today stated that in the Indian culture the cow is symbol of faith as well as a resource of an income for the lakhs of people indulging animal-husbandry business. To improvise the breeds of Gir and Kankareji cows, the Gujarat Government has implemented “Nandighar Scheme” at taluka level in the state.

The Chief Minister said that the cooperative organizations are playing a vital role in the development of dairy industry. They have also helped the millions of marginal farmers to maintain their income source. Not only this, they also bringing the farmers nearer to the bazaar by provide them meaningful employments.

He was speaking at the function held to celebrate the 52nd foundation-day celebration of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) at Anand, today. He also conferred as many as six national and 12-regional awards, including two special awards to woman winners, for their best works in the dairy industry. Beside these, 19-women were honoured with the special awards for their noticeable contribution in producing milk in the dairy field.

Other dignitaries, who also remained present on the occasion, included Union Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Minister Mr. Radha Mohan Singh, Union Agriculture Minister Mr. Purshottambhai Rupala, Gujarat Minister Mr. Shankarbhai Chaudhary and Rohitbhai Patel. The Chief Minister also released a book written about ‘Gir Cows’’. On the occasion, Mr. Singh and Mr. Rupala had launched the NDDB’s software for the automatic milk chlorine system and genotyping Indus-chip, respectively.

Mr. Rupani said that the present national milk production is 155-lakh ton and national average milk consumption per person is 337-gms. Against this, Gujarat is producing 127-lakh ton milk and its average per person milk consumption is 545-gms. Thus, Gujarat has become number one milk producing state in the country. In the Vibrant Gujarat Summit, the Gujarat has signed MOU worth of Rs. 6688-crore for setting up milk-chilling centers, qualitative milk production and improving breeds of animals and animal feeds.

The women’s have played a vital role in animal husbandry business. At present, as many as 4345 women milk producing mandalis are active in Gujarat; not only that women membership have also shown rise of 30%, the Chief Minister added.

Mr. Singh said after successful white-revolution (milk revolution), the nation would achieve double income growth for the farmers through ‘Madhu Kranti’ (Honey Revolution) by the year-2022. By year-2019-20, the national milk production will be 200 million tons. A fund of Rs. 10,000-crore has been allocated for next three year’s time for the basic development of milk production. As a result of this, 40,000 youths will get employment opportunity in urban areas through milk-selling centers. For the development of breeding of Gir Cows, a Rs. 500-crore National Gokul Mission scheme has been launched. He also praised the noticeable contributions made by Mr. Tribhuvandal Patel and Dr. Verghese Kurien in the setting up the AMUL.

Mr. Rupala said that for the first time the Central Government has allocated fund of Rs. 8,000-crore for the development of dairy industry. Others who spoke on the occasion included Gujarat Minister of State for Health Mr. Shankar Chaudhary. Others who attended the function, included minister of state for mines and minerals Mr. Rohit Patel, MP Mr. Lalsinh Vadodiya, collector Dr. Dhaval Patel, and others.

– Infromation