The credit for the strides made by the State in the dairy development sector goes to the joint efforts of all stakeholders, said Food and Civil Supplies Minister P. Thilothaman. He was speaking at a public reception organised to felicitate R. Raju, Minister for Forests and Dairy Development, for taking the State to the forefront of dairy sector in the country.
The achievement by Kerala was notable, especially as it had gained the top position by surpassing many other States that were traditionally in the forefront in this sector, he said out. The Minister hoped the new environment prevailing in the dairy sector would help attract youngsters to take up animal husbandry as a vocation.
In his address, Mr Raju said the State could register a record 17 per cent increase in milk production during last year. “This was the result of the concerted effort put in by the Dairy Department, Kerala Feeds, MILMA, KLD Board, primary cooperatives and lakhs of dairy farmers,” Mr Raju said. He pointed out that in addition to the projects given shape by the department, the various local bodies had designed their own projects generating new synergies in the sector. Studies conducted in 21 States by national bodies in the dairy sector have found Kerala to be the top milk producer, he said and added that by December this year, the State would be able to attain self-sufficiency in milk production. Various new initiatives, including the Rs. 250-lakh Dairy Zone Project are on the anvil with the aim of attaining self-sufficiency, he said.
Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, MLA, presided. C.K. Asha, MLA; district panchayat president Sunny Pampady; vice president Jessymol Manoj spoke.
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