Mayurbhanj: President of India, Droupadi Murmu, virtually inaugurated a series of transformative initiatives in the dairy and livestock sector in Mayurbhanj district, Odisha, aimed at bolstering rural livelihoods, enhancing livestock productivity, and addressing malnutrition. These programs, spearheaded by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, signify a major step toward sustainable rural development.
The virtual event was graced by Union Minister Rajeev Ranjan Singh, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel, Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, and George Kurian, Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Minority Affairs. Mohan Charan Majhi, Chief Minister of Odisha, and other dignitaries were also present.
Cattle Induction Program Under Rashtriya Gokul Mission
As part of the Rashtriya Gokul Mission, 3,000 high-genetic-merit cattle were distributed to beneficiaries in Mayurbhanj. With a ₹37.45 crore allocation over five years, the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) will implement a Productivity Enhancement Project to boost milk production, enhance rural incomes, and promote sustainable livestock practices.
Gift Milk Program
To combat malnutrition among children, the President launched the Gift Milk Program, which will provide 200 ml of flavored, vitamin-fortified milk to approximately 1,200 schoolchildren in Mayurbhanj. President Murmu highlighted the program’s potential to positively impact children’s health and education, expressing hope it would inspire similar efforts nationwide.
Market Support Program
Aimed at strengthening milk procurement, processing, and marketing, the Market Support Program seeks to increase Odisha’s milk procurement capacity from 5 lakh liters per day to 10 lakh liters per day. The initiative will also focus on branding and distribution to ensure better returns for farmers.
President Murmu commended DAHD’s innovative policies in transforming the dairy sector, noting India’s leadership in milk production, which has grown at an annual rate of 6% over the last decade. She emphasized the importance of adopting advanced technologies, such as Artificial Insemination and sex-sorted semen, to boost livestock productivity and profitability.
Union Minister Rajeev Ranjan Singh lauded the success of the Rashtriya Gokul Mission in improving indigenous bovine breeds and enhancing rural economic growth. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi highlighted livestock’s pivotal role in sustaining rural livelihoods and reaffirmed Odisha’s commitment to farmer-centric initiatives.
Dharmendra Pradhan emphasized the significance of addressing nutritional challenges, particularly in schoolchildren, and praised the alignment of these initiatives with the broader vision of rural empowerment.
The event also featured the presence of senior officials, including Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia, Odisha’s Minister for Forest, Environment & Climate Change, and Alka Upadhyaya, Secretary, DAHD. The collective effort by state and central leadership reflects a shared commitment to fostering sustainable growth in the dairy and livestock sectors.
