Omfed to market Bijharpuri cow, Chilika buffalo milk

BHUBANESWAR: Omfed will soon start exclusive procurement and marketing of Bijharpuri cow milk and Chilika buffalo milk under premium brands which will help in better conservation and development of these indigenous breeds, said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday.

Omfed will also set up an automated dairy plant at the cost of Rs.285 Crore to meet the future needs of the state. A programme has been worked out for taking up fodder cultivation in 75 thousand hectares of the area during the current Rabi season, he added.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik informed this while inaugurating a workshop on Odisha Bovine Breeding Policy-2015.

“The livestock sector is an inclusive sector that leads to economic empowerment of women and weaker sections.  This sector contributes around 18 percent of the total State Agriculture Gross Domestic Product in Odisha.  Milk production in the state has increased by 6 percent during 2014-15 whereas procurement by OMFED has grown by 22 percent.  Similarly, egg and chicken production has been increased substantially, said the Chief Minister.

He said the state government had taken a significant step in announcing a comprehensive Bovine Breeding Policy for the overall growth of the dairy sector.

He said this policy would assist in upgrading the genetic potentiality of dairy animals to enhance their productivity.

“The policy will also enable the farmers to produce productive dairy animals suitable to our local conditions.  Odisha Livestock Resource Development Society will spearhead bovine breeding activities in the state, and the breeding assets will be transferred to society,” he added.