Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Oct 12: In a major push to strengthen India’s livestock and dairy sector, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated projects worth ?947 crore and laid the foundation for an additional initiative valued at Rs 219 crore. These developments are part of a broader strategy to transform rural livelihoods and accelerate self-reliance in agriculture and allied sectors.
The announcement came during the launch of two flagship schemes — the Pradhan Mantri Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana (PM-DDKY) and the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses. Speaking at the event, the Prime Minister underlined the importance of livestock, fisheries, and allied activities as key pillars of rural development. “Under PM-DDKY, we are focusing not just on crops but also on livestock. Over 125 crore free vaccines have been administered to protect animals from diseases like foot and mouth. This has not only improved animal health but also reduced the stress on farmers,” he said.
He stressed the need for diversification beyond traditional farming, especially in areas where cultivation isn't viable. “We are promoting animal husbandry, fish farming, and beekeeping to offer new income sources for farmers, particularly small and landless ones. These sectors are critical for empowering rural communities,” Modi added.
A landmark moment at the event was the inauguration of the Northeast’s first IVF laboratory in Guwahati, Assam, built under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission at a cost of Rs 28.93 crore. The advanced facility is expected to significantly improve cattle breeding and dairy development in the region.
Multiple large-scale dairy infrastructure projects were also unveiled under the National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD). These included the Mehsana Milk Union’s Rs 460 crore project with a 120 MT per day Milk Powder Plant and a 3.5 lac litres per day UHT plant; a 30 TPD Milk Powder Plant by Indore Milk Union worth Rs 76.5 crore; a 25,000 LPD UHT Plant by Bhilwara Milk Union at Rs 46.82 crore; and a new Greenfield Dairy Plant in Karimnagar, Telangana built for Rs 25.45 crore.
Additionally, the foundation stone was laid for a major integrated dairy and cattle feed plant in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, with an investment of Rs 219 crore. The facility, developed under the NPDD, will further expand India's dairy production and processing capacity.
Under the Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF), ten more projects amounting to Rs 303.81 crore were launched across various states to scale up feed manufacturing, milk processing, and livestock product development.
In a significant step to improve grassroots-level livestock services, the Prime Minister awarded certificates to 2,000 newly trained MAITRIs (Multipurpose Artificial Insemination Technicians in Rural India) from across Uttar Pradesh. The event also marked the induction of over 38,000 MAITRIs across the country, aiming to increase artificial insemination coverage and accelerate genetic improvement of livestock nationwide.
The ambitious rollout of these initiatives signals the government’s firm commitment to enhancing rural income, food security, and sustainable development through an integrated focus on agriculture, livestock, and allied sectors.