India aims at doubling its milk output by 2023 – 24

Despite being topmost in milk production, India continues to up its game in the sector with several initiatives in the right direction.

The government is constantly making efforts to increase the quantity of milk production. It has increased target of artificial insemination to achieve 300 million tonnes by 2023-24.

Government data suggests India’s annual milk production of 155.48 million tonnes was achieved during 2015-16, which is 19 percent of the world’s production.

Animal Husbandry, Dairy and Fisheries Department, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare have set a national target of 300 million tonnes of milk production till 2023-24, along with 40.77 million reproducible non-descript breeds .

Attempts are also being made to raise milk productivity from 2.15 kg per day to 5.00 kg per day.

Statistics show there is an estimated 300 million bovine population in India. Of the 190 million, 20 percent are foreign breeds and hybrids are 39 million. 80 percent are of indigenous and non-descript breeds.

Indian cow gives barely 1 to 2 litres of milk.

The government says India has maintained high levels of milk production, but about 80 percent of low productivity breeds and breeding techniques need to be improved.

The strategy to increase productivity is to ensure artificial insemination (AI). It plays an important role in improving the productivity of bovine (bovine) population by increasing their milk production and productivity, increasing the genetic potential .

Plans are afoot to nurture bovine population through pioneering schemes under the auspicious scheme of National Gokul Mission, National Bovine Breeding (NPBB) and Indigenous Breeds Program (IB).

Dual benefits have been considered in these schemes, such as improving productivity and increasing milk production and increasing the income of farmers by helping them achieve the government’s goal of doubling their income by 2020.

State-wise target of 100 million artificial inseminations has been shared for 2017-18 . Instructions have been given to the states by Animal Husbandry, Dairy and Fisheries Department.