Under the aegis of Azadi Kaa Amrit Mahotsav, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, in collaboration with the Agriculture Production Department, Government of Jammu and Kashmir, celebrated World Milk Day today at SKICC, Srinagar. On this occasion, a two-day summer meet for the animal husbandry and dairying sector was kicked off.

The programme was inaugurated by Shri Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying in presence of Shri Manoj Sinha, Lieutenant Governor, J&K, Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Balyan, Minister of State of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Dr. L. Murugan, Minister of State of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Information & Broadcasting. The event witnessed the participation of all the States and UTs and graced with the presence of 15 Ministers of Animal Husbandry & Dairying and senior officers from all the states / UTs. More than 400 livestock farmers from various districts of Jammu and Kashmir participated in the event.

On the occasion, Shri Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, underscored the importance of milk in Indian culture and tradition and said that India's milk production is touching heights owing to the immense contributions by dairy farmers and agri-entrepreneurs. He also inaugurated the exhibition showcasing the achievements and programmes of the department.

He asked the states and Union Territories to emulate J&K's aspiration of being number one in dairy production so that nations become number one in the world in this sector.

Lieutenant Governor Jammu & Kashmir, Shri Manoj Sinha, while thanking the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying for its unflinching support to boost the sector, said that the Union Territory has moved ahead on the path of peace and development. He said that the dairy sector has the potential to boost other sectors as well. The implementation of the Kisan Samparak Scheme has uplifted our marginal farmers and given a boost to our agri sector. It has not only helped in increasing average productivity but also in creating more and more jobs, he added.

Shri Sinha said that the UT of J&K will be milk surplus in the coming five years as we have embarked on a journey of holistic development and this sector remains at the centre stage.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. L Murugan, MoS Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Information and Broadcasting said that World Milk Day is an occasion to celebrate and acknowledge the contributions of our dairy farmers especially women whose contributions have made India the top milk producer in the world. He said that the dairy sector has empowered more than 80 million people in the country.

Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Balyan, Minister of State of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, said that among the entire agriculture sector, milk production is the only sector that yields substantially high profits. Shri Balyan underlined the need to pay attention to strengthening the basic framework in order to improve and achieve the best results.

Ms. Alka Upadhyaya, Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying highlighted that the realigned schemes of DAHD are helping to improve per animal productivity. An increase in productivity will help in the production of more Milk, meat and livestock products for the domestic and export markets. The department is implementing several programmes for the complete control and eradication of major livestock diseases and infrastructure development.

While appreciating the initiative of organizing Summer meet by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, the ministers hoped that the outcome of the deliberations would go a long way in improving the system. The objective of the Summer Meet is to draw out the expectations of states and UTs to create a convergence framework for effective programme implementation at the ground level, review the progress of schemes, and discuss outcomes and mid-course corrections.

*****

SS/NSK