National Milk Day on November 26
STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: Assam Minister for Agriculture, Atul Bora, announced that the state will celebrate National Milk Day on November 26 with an event in Khanapara playground along with the rest of the country under the National Dairy Development Board of India. The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, New Delhi, intends to celebrate National Milk Day at Guwahati in collaboration with the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department, the Dairy Development Department, and the National Dairy Development Board. The programme will commence in the presence of the Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairy, Parshottam Rupala, and Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Balyan, Minister of State of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Fisheries, alongside Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
He also mentioned that milk production has increased by 6.1% in the past eight years in India. He also said that land has been allocated for large-scale milk production plants in Cachar, Dibrugarh, and Jorhat districts. Till October 23 of the 2023–24 financial year, a total of 3,74,438 cows have been given artificial insemination in the state, according to the minister. He added that those dairy farmers who use organic processes are given an incentive of Rs 5 per litre, and approximately 29 lakh litres of milk are produced daily as of now in the state.
Speaking about the Gorukhuti Agriculture Project, he said that about 40 Gir cows brought for the project have died so far and mentioned that the environment is not suitable for the animals, leading to the deaths and the lower-than-projected production of milk. As the project was handled by the NDDB, they have been notified regarding the same.
It was also mentioned that dairy is the single largest agricultural commodity, contributing 5 percent of the national economy and employing more than 8 crore farmers directly. India is ranked first in milk production, contributing 23 percent of global milk production. Milk production in India has increased by 51% over the past 8 years, from 146.3 million tonnes during 2014–15 to 221.06 million tonnes during 2021-22. Milk production in the country is growing at an annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.1% over the past 8 years, whereas world milk production is growing at 1.2% per annum.
Each year, the country celebrates November 26 as National Milk Day to commemorate the birth anniversary of the ‘Father of the White Revolution in India’, Dr. Verghese Kurien, who is also known as the Milkman of India. In order to boost the animal husbandry and dairy sector and recognize the contribution of the North Eastern States in this field, the Government of India is planning to host the event in Guwahati and award 10 dairy farmers in the country with the prestigious Gopal Ratna Award this year on National Milk Day.
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