Govt observes National Milk Day for first time

Bhubaneswar: Odisha government organised a state-level function in Bhubaneswar to observe the National Milk Day on Sunday.

Dairy farmers and officials from all districts participated virtually in the programme at Convention Centre of the Lokaseva Bhavan in the city. It is for the first time that the National Mulk Day was observed in the state.

In a video message, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik paid tributes to Dr Verghese Kurien, the Father of White Revolution, in whose honour the National Milk Day is observed on November 26 in the country.

Stating that milk production in the state has increased threefold during the last two decades, the chief minister said the government is providing financial assistance upto Rs one crore for entrepreneurship development in dairy sector under Mukhyamantri Krushi Udyog Yojana.

He said as dairy farming is related to development of famers and women, the government is putting focus on it. “Under 5T initiatives of the government, an ultramodern dairy plant of five lakh litre per day capacity has been established at Arilo. Around three lakh dairy farmers are benefitted through OMFED,” he added.

Minister of Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Ranendra Pratap Swain in his message has said OMFED and private dairies must ensure production and supply of quality milk products to the consumers.

Suresh Kumar Vashishth, principal secretary, Fisheries and Animal Resources Development department said 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.

Kishore Chandra Pradhani, president, OMFED; Sudhansu KK Mishra, CGM, NABARD; Gautam Patra, Convenor, SLBC and Ramesh Hazra, Director, AH&VS also spoke on the occasion.

Around 400 participants including dairy farmers, entrepreneurs, OMFED officials, plant managers, OMFED Board members, government officials from F&ARD and other departments were present.