New Delhi, Feb 3 (IANS): The Union Budget 2022-23, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, has seen a raise of 44 per cent in the allocation for the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, Dairying, at Rs 6,407.31 crore, officials said on Wednesday.

"In 2022-23, the budget for livestock has been increased by 40 per cent, and Central sector schemes have been increased by 48 percent, indicating the government's commitment to the growth of livestock and dairy farmers," Secretary, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Atul Chaturvedi, said.

He highlighted the fact that the reduced alternate minimum tax and surcharge reduction for cooperative societies will benefit thousands of dairy cooperatives in India, which will result in higher income for the country's eight crore dairy farmers.

An increase of 20 per cent in the budget in 2022-23 for the Rashtriya Gokul Mission and the National Programme for Dairy Development will increase the productivity of the indigenous bovine population and quality milk production, benefitting 8 crore dairy farmers, he said.

He underlined that the implementation of the One Health Mission with almost 60 per cent enhancement in fund allocation for livestock health and disease control for 2022-23 over the previous year will ensure healthier livestock and healthier India.