Date:30/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/30/stories/2008093052070300.htm

Kerala - Kochi

Milk self-sufficiency in two years: Minister

Staff Reporter

KOCHI: Minister for Dairy Development C. Divakaran said here that he was convinced that Kerala would attain self-sufficiency in milk production by 2010.

Three major schemes being implemented by the Left Democratic Front Government would help achieve this goal, the Minister said inaugurating the annual meeting of All-Kerala Milma Officers’ Federation here on Sunday.

The ‘Pasu Gramam’ scheme, involving an expenditure of Rs. 3 crore, ‘Vidarbha’ scheme costing Rs. 12 crore and ‘Milk Shed’ scheme involving an expenditure of Rs. 6 crore are being implemented by the government with the aim of achieving self-sufficiency in milk production.These investments have come over the last two years, the Minister said. He said the working of the various institutions involved in looking after the dairy sector in the State is being overhauled. The working of the Dairy Department, Animal Husbandry Department and Kerala Livestock Development Board would be streamlined to make them more effective.

He said the milk cooperative was pressing for another price hike.