Chief Minister Ibobi inaugurates new block of Central Dairy Plant
105 cows given as loan to farmers
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, November 11 2009: State Chief Minister O Ibobi today inaugurated a newly constructed block of the Central Dairy Plant at Porompat.

Thirtythree farmers' societies received 105 high milch cows as loans without interest from the government on the occasion.

Speaking at the inaugural function, Chief Minister Ibobi said that if the plant is reactivated well, the project taken up under the Integrated Dairy Development Project (IDDP) would not only generate good income but also help in providing jobs to the people of the state.

Chief Minister O Ibobi giving away a high milch cow to a farmer at Porompat

The IDDP had targeted an increase in milk production in the four valley districts of Manipur.

But till date, only one third of the targeted milk production has been achieved, the Chief Minister said.

Revealing that out of targeted production of 10,000 litres of milk per day, only 3,500 litres are produced per day, he said.

With the objective of increasing milk production in the state, the government has set up a chilling centre.

But the expected production target is yet to be achieved, the Chief Minister lamented.

There is the need for looking into whether the chilling centre is functioning well or the farmers are supplying milk on regular basis, the Chief Minister observed adding that if funds and incentives given to the farmers are distributed in time, the milk production could be increased.

He further appealed to the farmers to contribute milk timely and regularly to the dairy centre so as to meet the increasing demands for milk from the public.

Farmers should work harder to meet the increasing demands.

State Veterinary & Animal Husbandry and Tribal Development Minister, DD Thaisii presided over the inaugural function.

MLA Dr Kh Ratankumar, chairman of MANITRON was the guest of honour.

Delivering his presidential speech, Minister DD Thaisii recalled that implementation of IDDP was started in the state in 2006-07.Out of total investment of Rs 10.23 crore, the plant could earn Rs 4.60 crore.

As per the guidelines of the project, the Minister added, 10,000 litres of milk should be produced per day.

Under the project, there should be 100 co-operative societies and 3,600 farmers.

For the time being, the target has not been achieved, but it will be achieved in the two or three years' time, the Minister hoped.

He further said that after the IDDP-I and II are successful in the four valley districts, the phase-III of the same project will be taken up in other districts like Senapati and Chandel districts, while phase-IV will be taken up in Tamenglong, Ukhrul and Churachandpur districts.

The state is also pressing the Centre for sanctioning Rs 9 crore for setting up a project on cattle and buffalo fodder.

MLA Ratankumar lauded the functioning of the Central Dairy plant, Porompat saying that the demand for milk from this centre is increasing.

As part of the occasion, 105 cows were distributed to 33 farmers' societies.

The cows were given on loan without interest.

The farmers societies are to repay the loan as milk from the cows given as loans today.