Meghalaya's milk mission, welfare of dairy farmers improved

Shillong: After the launch of the 'Meghalaya Milk Mission' by the Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Department, Government of Meghalaya in 2018, the success or failure of the scheme is in question by the netizens.

The mission's credibility has become a thing of curiosity in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic which has disrupted the normalcy of regular life in general-including the economy and livelihoods for many in the state.

As per Meghalaya's Bovine Breeding Policy 2018- the per capita availability of milk in Meghalaya is 77.00g per person per day only which is far below the national average and the Indian Council of Medical Research recommended requirement of 300g per day per person.

Traditionally, dairy farming in Meghalaya has been commonly made for meat purposes and the animals are not milked. However, considering changing habits and an increase in the purchase of people in the state, it is expected that the demand for milk is going to rise in the state with the coming year.

If looked at the macro-level, Meghalaya lags when compared to other states of India.

Some of the major constraints include the absence of organised marketing channels in Meghalaya, promotion of milk processing and marketing, etc.

However, a study done by researchers in 2017 points out that the dairy sector in Meghalaya is "characterised on the basis of poor resource endowments", the viability of milk marketing also presents opportunities in the state.

The Na Ri Fresh was established in the year 2009 under section II of the Meghalaya Cooperative Societies Act with its operation within East Khasi Hills District is a milk co-operative modelled after the Anand Model (AMUL Model).

The major role of Na Ri was to look into the welfare of the Dairy farmers by making dairy a sustainable source of income for them.

At present, there are 36 Dairy Co-operative societies, organising and functioning within the East Khasi Hills and Ri Bhoi District. The Na Ri programme had shown great results in helping dairy farmers as there are proposed 30 dairy co-operative societies in Jaintia Hills District and 31 dairy co-operative societies in Garo hills district.

The process of organising new dairy co-operative societies are in progress.

There are two years left to go for the mission and the mandate of the milk mission still needs to be fulfilled. It is important to note that considering the vast potential of the sector in the state, dairy development still has a long way to go.

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