The Hindu Business Line : NDDB pact with AP to develop dairy sector

THE National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Andhra Pradesh Government on Saturday for implementing a programme to develop the dairy and horticulture sectors and re-vegetate degraded wastelands in the State.

The MoU signed in the presence of the Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, and the NDDB Chairperson, Dr Amrita Patel, envisages an investment of up to Rs 200 crore for revitalising the dairy sector, Rs 100 crore for development of horticulture and Rs 15 crore for re-vegetation. NDDB will provide the required Rs 315 crore at 5.5 per cent to be spent by the State in three years, and repayable in 15 years.

Following the signing of the agreement, Dr Reddy complimented the Congress leader and member of the Rajya Sabha from AP, Mr Jairam Ramesh, for his efforts in bringing the NDDB programme to the State. Dr Patel said the thrust would be on building up milk procurers institutions to carry forward the milk revolution.

As per the agreement, NDDB will revive sick milk cooperative societies in the districts of Chittoor, Cuddapah and East Godavari. It will also strengthen dairy institutions in 10 districts of the Telangana and Rayalaseema regions by pumping in finances and creating processing and marketing facilities.

NDDB will examine the feasibility of setting up one or more auction floors for marketing vegetables and fruits and creating cold storage facilities. A team of officials will prepare a report in three months after touring the targeted areas.

The Foundation for Ecological Security, an affiliate of the NDDB, has been strengthening village level institutions to manage and re-vegetate wastelands along the Papagni river in the drought-prone Chittoor and Anantapur districts. This has improved the vegetative cover in 12,000 hectares, and has ensured availability of water even in acute drought conditions. This initiative will be extended to 1,200 more villages in the semi-arid tracts of the two districts.

The State Government had agreed to increase the lease period of revenue wastelands to the village communities from 20 years currently to 50 years.

More Stories on : Dairy & Dairy Products | Andhra Pradesh

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