National Milk Day celebrated by OMFED
- On the occasion of Milk Day, a subsidy of Rs 10 crore has been given to cow rearers.
- Launching and marketing of new products.
- Omfed Silent Water Bottle Enters Market
On the occasion of National Milk Day, a state-level function was held at Krishi Shikshya Sadan of OUAT. Minister for Fisheries and Animal Development, MSME Mr. Gokulananda Mallick inaugurated the programme. In our country, the birthday of Dr. Verghese Kurien, the father of the White Revolution, is celebrated as National Milk Day. Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that this day is being celebrated with an aim to increase the consumption of milk and milk products and how the milk production in the state will increase and the cowherds will improve.
The Minister said, milk production is one such sector which has the potential for rural development of the State. Our state is now producing about 72 lakh litres of milk per day. Against the requirement of 300 grams of milk per person per day, our state is producing about 160 grams of milk. We need to go further in this. We are lagging behind in milk production because no concrete steps were taken earlier to increase milk production. That era is over.
Our government has started a new Chief Minister Kamdhenu Yojana with priority to cow rearing. The aim is to double the milk production in the state in the next five years. Under the Mukhyamantri Kamdhenu Yojana, up to 70 per cent subsidy is being provided to cowherds for rearing cows and buffaloes. Under the Mukhyamantri Kamdhenu Yojana, so far 4 lakh 50 thousand beneficiaries have been benefited with a grant amount of about Rs 200 crore. So far, under this scheme, more than 8,000 cows and buffaloes have been purchased from outside the state by the cowherds of the state. The cowherds of the state are now being empowered under the Mukhyamantri Kamdhenu Yojana. It’s very joyful.
The Minister further said that to increase milk production, financial assistance of up to one crore rupees is being given to set up cow farms and milk processing units under the Chief Minister’s Agriculture Enterprise Scheme. Controlling the disease of cattle has a great impact on milk production. The government is taking several steps in this regard. As many as 314 mobile veterinary units are functioning in the state to provide veterinary services at the doorstep of the cowherds. Help is being provided to the cowherds for grass cultivation, vaccination and deworming.
Shri Mallik said that to provide quality milk and milk products to the people, OMFED has launched A2 milk and powdered milk in the market. Ultra High Temperature Milk is made by OMFED. Today 7 new products of OMFED have entered the market. It’s very joyful. Under the Mukhyamantri Kamdhenu Yojana, in collaboration with NDDB, high quality milch cows are being provided to the cowherds of our state from other states. It will be launched today. Our government is working for the welfare of the people.
On the occasion of National Milk Day, Omfed has launched its various products. From today onwards, Omfed is releasing bottled drinking water to the Odisha market. Apart from this, tetra pack lassi, chocolate milk shake and protein yoghurt have entered the market today.
Omfed has now insured the lives of farmers to protect their families. In case of accidental death of the head of the household or the milk producer, so that his family feels helpless, Omfed has made a life insurance policy of Rs 1 lakh for every milk producer.
Omfed is expanding its reach day by day. Now Omfed is making efforts to develop new products and increase milk procurement. Omfed has started the process of market expansion to take its products to the people from urban to rural areas. OMFED is also expanding its reach outside the state. As a result, his business grew. Omfed has achieved a turnover of Rs 855 crore in FY 2023-24 and Rs 1028 crore in FY 2024-25.
Today, 25 cowherds were given assistance under the Mukhyamantri Kamdhenu Yojana and 3 entrepreneurs were given subsidy under the Mukhyamantri Krishi Udyog Yojana. Keeping in view the commitment of the State Government towards animal welfare, 83 registered Gaushalas in the State were provided financial assistance of Rs. A sum of Rs 6 crore was given to 24 municipal bodies of the state for the purchase of vehicles required for the rescue of stray animals.
The Minister inaugurated the Sex Sorted Semen Laboratory at Frozen Venus Depot, Cuttack through video conferencing. Through this, Odisha can now produce sex sorted semen and Odisha is the fourth state in the country in this regard. In order to benefit the cowherds of the state more, artificial breeding program is being done through Sex Sorted Semen. Through this, up to 90 percent of the female calves are born and the cowherds are benefiting.
Among others, Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Suresh Kumar Basistha, Director of Fisheries Md Sadiq Alam, Director of Municipal Administration Arindam Dakua, Director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Dr Bijay Amrita Kulange and Principal of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry College Dr Sushen Kumar Panda were present on the occasion. About one thousand delegates from different parts of the country participated in the conference.
