Milk production registers 36.35% growth in five years: Giriraj Singh

New Delhi: While addressing entrepreneurs, milk producer farmers, academia on the occasion of National Milk Day, Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying Giriraj Singh said that milk production has increased significantly from 137.7 million tonnes in 2013-14 to 187.75 million tonnes in 2018-19, registering an increase of 36.35 per cent.

The Union Minister also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for protecting the interest of 10 crore farmers by not joining regional comprehensive economic partnership (RCEP). "The PM has always given the prime importance to the betterment of "Gaon Gareeb Kisaan" and RCEP was not in favour of farmers," Singh stressed.

Highlighting the rise in milk production, Singh said, "The per capita availability of milk increased from 307 grams in 2013-14 to 394 grams in 2018-19. Annual growth rate of milk production during the period 2009-14 was 4.2 per cent, which has increased to 6.4 per cent during 2014-19. The annual growth rate of world milk production has increased by 1.2 per cent during 2014-19."

The Union Minister further added that India is the ray of hope of the global dairy industry with opportunities galore for the entrepreneurs globally. "Livestock sector contributes significantly towards livelihoods and security net for the landless and marginal farmers. About 70 million rural households are engaged in dairying in India with 80 per cent of total cow population," he said.

"During the last 15 years, milk cooperatives have converted about 20 per cent of milk procured into traditional and value added products that offers about 20 per cent higher revenue," he said, adding that the share of value-added products is estimated to increase to 40 per cent by 2023-24.