SATISH HANDA
Haryana state was lacking behind in per capita milk consumption till the year 2018-19 as compared to Punjab state, but during year 2019-20 the state left Punjab behind. According to available data, daily per capita milk consumption in Haryana was 1005 gm as compared to 1120 gm in Punjab during 2017-18. Similarly, during year 2018-19 daily per capita milk consumption was recorded 1087 gm in Haryana as compared to 1181 gm in Punjab and during the year 2019-20 the scenario changed when daily per capita milk consumption in Haryana witnessed increase to 1142 gm as compared to 1132 gm in Punjab as against average National per capita milk consumption 394 gm.
Information reveals, there are nearly 1.70 lakh milk producing animals in Haryana having nearly 25% population of total number of such animals in the country producing 11734 lakh ton milk every year, which is 5.56% share of total production of milk in the country. According to information by National Dairy Development Board, total production of milk in the country during year 2018-19 was recorded as 187.7 million ton gradually increasing in Haryana state every year having production more than the states of Bihar, Tamilnadu and now also Punjab. Recently, Deputy Director of Punjab Dairy Development Corporation at an occasion admitted that the number of milk producing animals in Punjab has dropped by nearly 23% leaving not much affect over milk production in the state.
Information also reveals, total quantity of 11734 ton milk is produced in Haryana state every year which include 2207 ton cow milk, 9474 ton she buffalo milk and 52 ton she goat milk in which Hisar district in the state leads in milk production of 879.30 ton milk followed by Kaithal district producing 765.04 ton milk, Jind district producing 762.40 ton milk and Karnal district producing 756.44 ton milk annually. According to health department experts milk contains protein, Calcium, Vitamin D, Vitamin B-2, Vitamin B-12 and minerals like Potassium and Phosphorus.
Government of India in order to encourage Dairy sector has approved funds worth Rs 15000 crore for developing animal structure in the field of milk processing, animals feeds, increase in milk production and subsidies to the entrepreneurs in this field. According to Dr Manmohan Singh Chauhan Director National Dairy Development & Research Institute Karnal, there are nearly2500 animals in the institute on which research work for increase of quantity of milk as well as quality of animals is going on. Dr P.S. Yadav Senior Scientist at Buffaloes Research Institute Hisar told that there is good demand for milk processing units in the state and Haryana is yet far behind in this regard and there is need to follow Gujarat model since milk products including flavoured milk, curd, butter and ‘Paneer’ are in much demand attracting handsome proits in Northern part in the country.
