(a) whether the production of milk is continuously declining in the country and consumers are being forced to use artificial milk;
(b) if so, the steps being taken by the Government to boost the milk production;
(c) whether the Government proposes to provide loan and other assistance to farmers with low income for milk production in rural areas so that they can get employment from milk production;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
(SHRIMATI KRISHNA RAJ)
(a) & (b) Milk production in the country during last four years has increased and is given below:-
Year Milk Production (in million metric tonnes)
2013-14 137.70
2014-15 146.31
2015-16 155.49
2016-17 165.40
Government of India has been implementing following schemes to boost milk production:
(i) National Dairy Plan Phase I (NDP-I)
(ii) National Programme for Bovine Breeding part of NPBBDD;
(iii) Rashtriya Gokul Mission part of NPBBDD and
(iv) National Mission on Bovine Productivity
(c) to (e) Department is implementing Dairy Entrepreneurship Development Scheme (DEDS) to provide loan assistance to farmers under bankable projects for components namely setting up of small cattle rearing units, installation of Bulk Milk Coolers (BMC), Milk Testing Equipment, Transportation facility, Cold Storage, Indigenous Milk Product manufacturing Units etc. The scheme is implemented through NABARD. Under this scheme back ended capital subsidy @ 25% of the project cost for general category and @ 33.33 % for SC/ST farmers are provided. There is a Budgetary Provision of Rs 323 Crore during 2018-19. Under this scheme 3,30,334 beneficiaries have been assisted and Rs 1339.66 Crore has been disbursed as subsidy.
****