The eastern Indian state of Meghalaya has initiated the National Milk Mission with a goal to increase dairy production and achieve self-sufficiency by 2022. As per the livestock census of 2012, the state is home to approximately a million cattle, with a considerable number being cross-bred milch cows, contributing nearly 60 percent of the state’s total dairy production. The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, in launching the Meghalaya Milk Mission (2018-22) expressed concerns about the relatively lower number of milk cooperatives in the state as compared to other regions of the country.
Key Details of the Mission
The National Co-operative Development Corporation granted a project worth Rs 215 crore under the milk mission. This project aims to train individuals in dairy farm management, set up chilling centres, and acquire milch animals among other objectives. State authorities plan to develop community ranches at the village level by cultivating indigenous cow breeds such as Sahiwal, Gir, Rathi, and Red Sindhi.
The state government believes that promoting community ranches can address land-related issues encountered by small-scale, marginalized farmers. Additionally, the mission seeks to raise the number of district-level milk cooperative unions to eleven from the current three in Jaintia Hills, West Garo Hills, and East Khasi Hills. This effort aligns with the Centre’s target to double farmer income by 2022 through enhancing milk business operations in the state.
Meghalaya Milk Mission Objectives
The Meghalaya Milk Mission aims to close the gap in demand and supply of per capita milk in the state. It also intends to create alternative livelihood opportunities for rural populations through the dairy industry and to establish and revive dairy cooperatives. The mission includes an allocation of Rs 1 crore for farmer training within the project scope. Over its four-year duration, it is expected to benefit around 2,000 farmers.
Benefits of Ranching
The implementation of ranching can effectively utilize marginal or range areas unfit for significant crop farming. This practice also fosters the growth of healthier animals, creates job opportunities, safeguards animals from predators, and adds value to farm products.
National Co-operative Development Corporation (NCDC)
Established in 1963 by an Act of Parliament as a statutory Corporation under the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, the NCDC focuses on promoting and developing Cooperatives in agricultural and rural-oriented activities. A recent amendment to the Act allows the NCDC to fund cooperatives in the services sector, rural industries, livestock, and other related areas. Worth noting is that the NCDC’s assistance does not focus on individual beneficiaries; instead, it is meant to contribute to the institutional development of Cooperatives.