Bihar's Dairy Initiatives Aim to Boost Rural Employment and Income
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has unveiled a comprehensive development strategy centered around the dairy sector as a critical component of rural economic enhancement. During his visit to Siwan district, he announced a total of 71 projects valued at Rs 208 crore, emphasizing the role of dairying in boosting rural employment and farmer income. The Chief Minister laid foundation stones for 40 schemes valued at Rs 157 crore and inaugurated 31 completed projects worth Rs 45 crore remotely from the Government Medical College campus at Mairwa.
The dairy-focused initiatives include forming milk producers’ committees in all 1,528 villages of Siwan district. Additionally, Sudha milk outlets are set to be established in all 299 panchayats, aimed at expanding organized milk procurement and improving market access for local farmers. This initiative is part of Bihar's broader strategy to integrate cooperative institutions with local economic development.
Beyond the dairy sector, the development plan includes significant investments in healthcare and sports infrastructure. All 19 community health centers in the district are slated for upgrades to specialty hospitals, with the district sadar hospital being transformed into a superspecialty facility. A center of excellence for sports is also planned for Siwan.
The Bihar government continues to support women-led livelihoods, with Rs 10,000 already distributed to 4.13 lakh women under the Mahila Rojgar Yojana. The potential assistance for beneficiaries could rise to Rs 2 lakh based on enterprise performance. During his Siwan visit, Kumar also sanctioned Rs 9.90 lakh to a farmers’ producer organization for an oil processing unit, and approved subsidies for a farm machinery bank and incentives for Krishi Sakhis to promote organic farming.
These multifaceted efforts reflect Bihar's aim to create a resilient rural economy by combining dairy expansion with infrastructure, health, and farmer enterprise development.
