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Vision and Mission of the Government

In the last few decades, the overall growth rate in livestock sector was steady and was above 5% per annum and this has been achieved despite the fact that investment in this sector was not substantial. But since the Ninth Plan there is some decline in the growth rate of livestock products. Total livestock output increased at 3.8% per annum during the Ninth Plan, slower than the 4.5% growth rate achieved during 1980-97. In comparison to the Ninth Plan, growth rates in the first two years of the Tenth Plan have declined quite significantly - milk (2.2% from 4.3%), egg (2.14 from 7.3%) and wool (-0.6% from 2.1%). A matter of concern is that milk and egg production has decelerated despite the latest Livestock Census showing large increase since 1997 in the number and proportion of crossbred cattle and also of poultry.

Besides drought conditions, feed availability and marketing problems of livestock products appear important. Broad frame-work of cattle and buffalo breeding policy recommended for the country since mid-sixties envisaged selective breeding of indigenous breeds in their breeding tracts and use of such improved breeds for upgrading of the non-descript stock. While the States accepted the framework, appropriate implementation of the same through field level programme could not be done. Lack of interest in promoting Breed Organization/ Societies and related farmers’ bodies contributed to gradual deterioration of indigenous breeds. That there had been large deviation from the laid breeding policy is quite obvious from the fact that crossbreeding which was to be taken up in a restricted manner and in areas of low producing cattle has now spread indiscriminately all over the country including in the breeding tracts of some of the established indigenous cattle breeds.

Investment in the dairy sector has been reduced drastically in the Ninth Plan. In comparison to Eighth Plan investment of Rs. 821.43 crore (against the plan outlay of Rs. 900 crore), the maximum investment during 9th Plan would be Rs. 130.93 crore against the plan outlay of Rs. 469.52 crore. Out of 168 Milk Unions, 119 Milk Unions (70.8 percent) were running in loss as on 31.3.1998. So far, the Government policy in dairy sector has been to give preference to the establishment of milk processing plants and selling liquid milk particularly in urban areas. This policy was guided by an overall shortage of milk and the national milk production falling short of nutritional requirement during the earlier years of planning era. But the scenario has changed from a milk shortage environment to conducive environment that will enhance demand so that growth rate of milk production is stimulated. No policy measures were undertaken so far to give a fillip to the unorganized sector involved in the production of Indian dairy products (like ghee, paneer, channa, khoa, etc.),which have tremendous potentiality for export market in Asian and African countries.

The major focuses of Government of India for dairy development during the Tenth Five-Year Plan are:

1) The main thrust will be on genetic upgradation of indigenous/native cattle and buffaloes using proven semen and high quality pedigreed bulls and by expanding artificial insemination and natural service network to provide services at the farmer’s level. Production of progeny-tested bulls in collaboration with military dairy farms, government/institution farms and gaushalas will be taken up.

2) Conservation of dairy breeds should be the national priority to maintain diversity of breeds and preserve those showing decline in numbers or facing extinction.

3) After the successful eradication of Rinderpest disease, the focus would now be to adopt a national immunization program to control prevalent animal diseases.Efforts will be made for the creation of disease-free zones to boost export of milk products.

4) Development of fodder through cultivation of fodder crops and fodder trees,regeneration of grazing lands and proper management of common property resources.

5) Building infrastructure for animal husbandry extension network. Panchayats,cooperatives and NGOs should play a leading role in generating a dedicated band of service providers at the farmer’s doorstep in their respective areas

6) Strengthening infrastructure and programmes for quality and clean milk production and processing for value addition.

7) An information network would be created based on animal production and health with the active involvement of Research Institutions, Government departments, private industries, cooperative, and NGOs.

8) A regular interaction between the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying and research institutes like the Indian Veterinary Research Institute, National Dairy Research Institute, Institutes on cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat, equine and camel.

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