Central aid for dairy scheme in western Odisha

Following is a report from The Pioneer:

The Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development and Fishery Department under the Union Agriculture Ministry on Tuesday sanctioned Rs 10.56 crore in favour of the Omfed for integrated dairy development programme in the State, according to sources.

The sources said the programme will be launched in five districts of western Odisha —Sambalpur, Deogarh, Jharsuguda, Sonepur and Bargarh.

The programme envisages setting up of 15 bulk coolers, 60 milk cooperative societies, a new dairy at Jharsuguda with a target to procure 20,000 litres of milk, enrollment of 3,600 new members and supply of 900 milk cows.

The new members will be provided training in dairy development and will be encouraged to undertake fodder cultivation while other facilities will also be extended to them at cheaper cost with rebates, a release by the Omfed said, adding that Omfed CMD Satyabrata Sahu was instrumental in persuading the Central authorities to sanction the amount.