Finance Minister Arun Jaitley’s emphasis on dairy sector would lead to introduction of technology for promoting animal wellness and boosting productivity.

In his speech, Jaitley announced four projects namely ‘Pashudhan Sanjivani’, an animal wellness programme and provision of animal health cards; ‘Nakul Swasthya Patra’, an advanced breeding technology; ‘E-Pashudhan Haat’, e-market portal for connecting breeders and farmers; and ‘National Genomic Centre’ for indigenous breeds. A provision of ₹850 crore has been made to implement these projects over the next few years.

“These are some brilliant ideas to improve productivity. Projects like National Genomic Centre should give us the much-needed push to develop indigenous breed. For animal health, Nabard has a programme covering all areas of health and productivity enhancement of animal. With the new project on animal health, our programme will further get expanded,” said T Nandakumar, Chairman, National Dairy Development Board. However, Jaitley skipped some crucial issue of cheap imports of milk products into India.

“There is nothing that the Finance Minister has left unaddressed. But, there is still a need to make dairy farming more profitable by reducing costs and with better use of technology. If profitability is there, young generation will get employed in it,” Nandakumar said.

On the 100 per cent FDI in marketing of food products manufactured here, RS Sodhi, Managing Director, Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), which markets Amul brand of milk products, said, “This step will encourage processing and value-addition in dairy products. Therefore, more money will flow from urban to rural India. The Budget has encouraged investment for Make in rural India.”

The move is aimed at benefiting farmers, and give impetus to food processing industry and create vast employment opportunities.

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