'Manipur needs to produce over 200 tonnes milk a year'
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 03 2019: Manipur produces an average of about 82 tonnes of milk a year, which is not sufficient.

The State needs to produce over 200 tonnes milk a year, said Director of Department of Veterinary & Animal Husbandry, Haobijam Chaoba.

He was speaking at the inauguration of the 7 days long training of private artificial insemination workers (MAITRIS) under Rashtriya Gokul Mission at Intensive Cattle Development Programme, Porompat today.

The programme was also attended by Kh Shantibala, Project Officer Intensive Cattle Development Programme, Porompat and other officials.

Talking about the dairy plant at Porompat, the Director said that it has capacity of churning out only 4 to 6 thousand litres a day.

Low production of milk coupled with the limited output capacity of the dairy plant can not meet even the demand of people in Imphal area, he said.

There are several private plants but meeting the demand is a far reality, he added.

Concerned with the decreasing number of cattle and cattle rearing, he pointed out the importance of rearing cattle.

Encouraging dairy farmers, cattle rearing can bring about a successful white revolution in the State and farmers can earn substantial income from dairy products and at the same time improve State's economy, he said.

In Gujarat villages, women are actively engaged in cattle farming.

Even the excreta and urine of the cattle can give the farmers quite a stable income, he said.

On an average, local cows can produce only about 1 to 2 litres of milk a day.

But with artificial insemination, the new born cattle/cows can produce about 5 to 10 litres milk a day when they matured, he said.

Locals lack the required knowledge about successfully rearing cattle for milk and other purposes.

As such, plans are in progress to train the locals on cattle rearing, farming and artificial insemination, he said and added that the training programmes may be launched at Chandel district first.

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