Jammu and Kashmir launches an ambitious Integrated Dairy Development Plan to double milk production and generate thousands of rural jobs.
The Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) administration is committing to a major transformation of its dairy sector, launching a $1.34 billion (Rs 11,000 crore) Integrated Dairy Development Plan (IDDP). This comprehensive strategy is designed to achieve self-sufficiency in milk production and significantly enhance the economic standing of local dairy farmers. The plan aims to increase J&K’s milk production from the current 25.6 lakh Metric Tonnes (MT) to 50 lakh MT annually within the next five years, signaling a massive push for sector growth that analysts and manufacturers should monitor closely.
A central pillar of the IDDP is the focus on genetic improvement to raise herd productivity. The plan includes the establishment of 300 Integrated Dairy Development Centres across the Union Territory. These centers will serve as hubs for crucial services, including artificial insemination (AI), to enhance the genetic potential of the local cattle population. Crucially, the strategy includes provisions for high-quality, subsidized sex-sorted semen, ensuring a higher proportion of female calves and accelerating the replacement and expansion of the milking herd.
Beyond production, the plan tackles the critical issue of market access and value addition. J&K’s current low milk processing capacity is set to be dramatically increased from 5 lakh litres per day (LLPD) to 15 LLPD to handle the anticipated jump in output. Furthermore, the IDDP is focused on expanding the dairy value chain by promoting the production of value-added dairy products, which will generate higher returns for producers and processors. This emphasis on modernization is key for attracting investment into the region.
The economic and social benefits projected from this massive investment are substantial. The initiative is expected to directly create 5,000 new jobs and establish around 2,500 new dairy units over the next five years, providing significant livelihood security in rural areas. The increased scale and efficiency, driven by the IDDP, will help to reduce dependency on milk imports and stabilize local prices, benefiting both consumers and the region’s 7.5 lakh small-scale dairy farmers.
To ensure success, the J&K administration has adopted a cluster approach for development and committed to providing extensive financial and infrastructural support. This includes setting up bulk milk coolers at the village level and assisting farmers with access to subsidies for purchasing new high-yielding cattle. By prioritizing modernization and farmer empowerment through this data-driven, holistic plan, J&K is positioning itself as a major upcoming force in the Indian dairy landscape.
Source: Read the full details on J&K’s dairy sector revitalization strategy at Kashmir Life.
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