National Milk Day: Today at Convention Centre, Lokaseva Bhavan, Bhubaneswar, National Milk Day has been observed for the first time in the state. Dairy farmers and officials from all the districts have joined the programme virtually.
In a video message, the Chief Minister Sri Naveen Patnaik has said that National Milk Day is observed on 26th November in India in honour of Dr. Verghese Kurien, the Father of White Revolution in the country. The Chief Minister paid tribute to Dr Kurien. He said that milk production has increased threefold during the last two decades in the state. Milk is essential for growth of children and it’s a nutritious food. The state government is providing financial assistance up to rupees one crore for entrepreneurship development in dairy development sector under Mukhyamantri Krushi Udyog Yojana.
The Chief Minister has further said that, under 5 T initiatives of the state government, an ultramodern dairy plant of five lakh liter capacity per day has been established at Arilo. Around three lakh dairy farmers are being benefitted through OMFED and the state government is taking measures like vaccination, deworming of cattle. As dairy farming is related to development of famers and women of the state, the state government is putting focus on it.
The Minister, Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Sri Ranendra Pratap Swain in his message has said that OMFED and private dairies in the state are doing good job. They must ensure production and supply of quality products for the consumers of the state. He also said that dairy sector is a sector which has the potentiality for rural development in Odisha. The Principal Secretary, Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Sri Suresh Kumar Vashishth has said that financial assistance of Rs.1.18 lakh is being provided to the farmers to establish small dairy units with two buffalos as a measure of providing livelihood and multiplying their income.
Sri Kishore Chandra Pradhani, President, OMFED, Sri Sudhansu K. K. Mishra, CGM, NABARD, Sri Gautam Patra, Convenor, SLBC and Sri Ramesh Hazra, Director, AH&VSalso spoke on the occasion. Around 400 participants involving dairy farmers, entrepreneurs, OMFED officials, plant managers, OMFED Board members, Govt. officials from F&ARD and other Departments were present. Dairy farmers and officials from districts joined the programme in virtual mode.
