Tribal Affairs Deptt approves 16 Milk Villages, MCPs with ₹ 15 cr outlay
Initiative to generate employment, enhance milk production: Dr Shahid
SRINAGAR, AUGUST 20: Tribal Affairs Department has rolled out a plan for the establishment of Milk Villages, Milk Chilling Plants (MCP), Milk Product Processing, and other facilities in tribal villages aimed at supporting milk production and supply chain besides providing sustainable employment opportunities to youth.
“The project is aimed at providing employment to more than 1500 tribal youth and infrastructure creation under Phase-I which will be followed by expanded coverage to all districts”, maintained Secretary Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary while elaborating on this innovative initiative being launched in the UT.
Dr Shahid informed that the six new Milk Villages approved under the UT CAPEX budget included 2 villages in Shopian, one each in Pulwama, Rajouri, Ganderbal, and Poonch. These villages have been allocated Rs 80.00 Lakh each for livestock up-gradation, machinery, equipment, and market linkages. The villages being funded under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for tribal welfare included 8 villages, one each in Rajouri, Anantnag, Poonch, Jammu, Shopian, Reasi, Kupwara, and Budgam, with a cost of Rs 80.00 Lakh per village, he added. He said that an amount of Rs 90 Lakh has also been earmarked for Snagerwani in Pulwama and Argi in Rajouri for the completion of earlier sanctioned projects.
Likewise, two Milk Chilling Plants to be established at a cost of Rs 100.00 Lakh have also been sanctioned for Shopian and Ganderbal. The department has also initiated the process for identification of villages with the potential of the milk supply chain for providing skilling, livestock product management, supply chain infrastructure and other facilities. Potential areas in districts like Udhampur, Samba, Kathua, Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, Budgam, Baramulla, Kupwara, and Bandipora with significant tribal populations are being mapped for the establishment of Milk Villages in a phased manner. The separate outlay has also been earmarked for skill development and market linkages. The department is also providing research grants first time to the Tribal Research Institute for the survey, analysis, evaluation, DPR formulation, skilling, and other aspects for focused planning in the livestock husbandry sector among others.
The process of selection of potential milk villages by district administration with inputs from the Animal Husbandry Department and representatives of local self-government will consider production and processing potential. The villages having maximum potential will be selected in phase-I and a waiting list of villages shall be maintained for subsequent coverage.
Pertinently, all the Milk Villages approved by the Tribal Affairs Department are being established with 100% government funding meanwhile the department is actively coordinating with banks and financial institutions for the establishment of 100 Milk Villages and Chilling Plants with Public-Private Partnership wherein scheme upfront subsidy and interest subvention is being explored.
