Dairy Based Industries in India: Expansion Schemes by DAHD

The Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD), Government of India, is deploying a series of initiatives to boost the dairy sector nationwide, with Bihar as a key focus. These initiatives are aimed at enhancing the capacity and capability of dairy productions, which play a vital role in the country's agricultural landscape.

1. Rastriya Gokul Mission (RGM): This scheme focuses on the development and conservation of indigenous breeds, aiming for the genetic enhancement of the bovine population, thus increasing milk productivity. Bihar has received significant central assistance since the program's inception.
2. National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD): Aimed at improving the quality of milk and its products, this scheme also targets the organized milk procurement sectors. Several projects have been approved with substantial financial backing from the central government.
3. Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF): Supporting modernization efforts, this scheme sanctions projects for new and improved facilities in Bihar, marking a leap towards advanced dairy processing capabilities.
4. Supporting Dairy Cooperatives and FPOs: A financial aid initiative, providing interest subvention on working capital loans to encourage dairy activities through cooperatives and producer organizations.

The concerted efforts have led to a marked increase in milk production in Bihar, from 7.77 million tonnes in 2014-15 to 12.85 million tonnes in 2023-24. This demonstrates the effectiveness of not only DAHD's schemes but also the Kisan Credit Card facility extension to dairy farmers, facilitating better management of working capital.