Shillong, Feb 12: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Saturday said that the Government was making the required investment to upscale dairy sector in the State through the flagship ‘Dairy Mission’ programme.
“Government of Meghalaya is working with different Dairy Cooperative Societies to encourage milk production across the State,” the Chief Minister said while laying the foundation for new Dairy Complex at Ganol in West Garo Hills District.
The new Dairy complex is being built at a cost of Rs 10.52 crore. Out of the amount is Rs. 9.15 crore is provided by National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD), Government of India while Milk Producers Union of West Garo Hills has contributed Rs. 86.27 lakh.
The new plant will have capacity of producing 10,000 liters of milk per day. The existing plant at Ganol has capacity of 1,000 liters per day.
The CM informed that the new dairy complex would have chilling, processing and packaging and distribution units.
The Chief Minister said that livestock provides a lucrative opportunity for the farming community of the State as Meghalaya largely depends on import from other parts of the State.
“Almost 50 percent of the meat products available in the State, including pork, beef, mutton, poultry, fish and dairy products are imported from different regions of India as our production is low. The livestock business amounts to the tune of about Rs. 4500 crore in the State, which means that about Rs. 2250 crores go outside the State,” he said, while encouraging local entrepreneurs to harness the opportunity that is available in livestock sector.
He informed that Dairy Mission amounting to Rs. 215 crore aims to provide opportunities to the farming community and entrepreneurs through Cooperative Societies.
He also took the opportunity to inform on the Piggery Mission, which is currently being implemented in the State. It is one of the largest piggery projects in the country amounting to about Rs. 209 crores.
The new dairy complex at Ganol will benefit fifteen Dairy Cooperative Societies in Garo Hills region of Meghalaya and will directly impact about 300 households.