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State-of-the-Art Animal Feed Plant
Context:
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, inaugurated a state-of-the-art cattle feed plant with a production capacity of 800 metric tons at Himmatnagar in Sabarkantha district, Gujarat.
Importance of Plant:
- Empowering Rural Communities: The Cooperation Minister praised Sabar Dairy for uplifting over 3.5 lakh families and empowering women through the cooperative dairy movement, attributing its success to the White Revolution led by Amul.
- Two cooperatives were recognised for earning over ₹1 crore in milk trade.
- Advancing Animal Husbandry: The ₹210 crore Sabarkantha Dairy feed plant boosts livestock nutrition with a 2,050 metric ton capacity.
- India’s per capita milk production has surged from 40 kg in 1970 to 167 kg in 2023, making it a global leader.
- Promoting Natural Farming: He urged farmers to adopt natural farming for better soil health and disease prevention.
- Cooperative Growth: Highlighting the Gobardhan Yojana and Amul’s growth to ₹60,000 crore, he envisioned natural farming unlocking a ₹10 lakh crore global market for Indian farmers.
Other Inaugurations:
- In addition to the cattle feed plant, he inaugurated the Fila Vista-2024 Stamp Exhibition in Gandhinagar and paid homage to the leaders of the Dandi March at the Dandi Kutir Museum, a significant cultural site.
- He also inaugurated the Shela Lake and Park in Sanand, adding to Gujarat’s cultural and environmental infrastructure.
Animal husbandry in India:
- Economic Importance: Animal husbandry plays a crucial role in the agricultural landscape of India, providing employment and income to a large segment of the population.
- The gross value of output from this sector was approximately ₹8,123 billion in the fiscal year 2015-16.
- Livestock Population: As of FY 2019, India had around 192.5 million cattle, 148.9 million goats, 109.9 million buffaloes, 74.3 million sheep, and 9.1 million pigs.
- The country is the largest producer of milk globally, with an estimated production of 230.58 million tons in FY 2022-23.
Key Types of Animal Husbandry:
- Dairy Farming: This involves the long-term production of milk from dairy animals such as cows and buffaloes.
- India has the world’s largest dairy herd and is a leading producer of various dairy products like cheese, butter, and yogurt.
- Poultry Farming: Raising birds such as chickens and ducks for meat and eggs is another significant aspect.
- India ranks third in egg production globally, producing over 138 billion eggs annually.
- Meat Production: India is also a major player in meat production, particularly buffalo meat, where it stands as the top global exporter.
- Aquaculture and Apiculture: These practices involve raising fish and bees, respectively, for food products like fish and honey, contributing to dietary diversity and nutrition.
Government Initiatives:
- National Livestock Mission: Focuses on improving livestock productivity through better breeding practices.
- Intensive Dairy Development Programme: Aims to increase milk production by promoting better management practices among dairy farmers.
- Foot & Mouth Disease Control Programme: Works towards disease management to ensure healthier livestock populations.
Challenges and Future Prospects:
- Despite its importance, the animal husbandry sector faces challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, limited access to veterinary services, and fluctuating market prices.
- However, with increasing investments from both domestic and international entities, along with government support for modernisation and disease control programs, the future prospects for animal husbandry in India remain promising.
