Question : DAIRY FARMING

(a) the details of the number of persons engaged in dairy farming including small and marginal farmers;

(b) whether the Government has launched several schemes for the development of the dairy sector and included dairy cooperative/associations in the implementation of the scheme;

(c) if so, the details of the schemes and the dairy associations involved therein; and

(d) the funds allocated and released for the development of the said sector during the last three years and the current year, State-wise?

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (PROF. K.V. THOMAS)

(a) The provisional estimate of work force directly involved in livestock sector is 22.45million (NSSO report of 2004-05)

(b) & (c) The Government is implementing following dairy development schemes:

(i) Intensive Dairy Development Programme (IDDP)

(ii) Strengthening Infrastructure for Quality and Clean Milk Production (CMP).

(iii) Assistance to Cooperatives for rehabilitation of sick Milk Union/Federation.

(iv) Dairy Venture Capital Fund (DVCF) for providing loan assistance to the dairy entrepreneurs.

The Project under the schemes, namely IDDP and CMP are implemented by State Milk Federations District Milk Unions. The project under the scheme `assistance to cooperatives is implemented by the District Milk Unions through National Dairy Development Board. The scheme DVCF is implemented through National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).

(d) The schemes of the department are prepared by the State Milk Federation/Milk Union/State Government based on their need. As the schemes are demand driven, the state-wise allocation are not made. However, year-wise budget allocation and expenditure for above mentioned scheme are enclosed (Annexure-I).

State-wise release of fund under the above schemes is enclosed (Armexure-H)