To increase the income of rural farmers of the state, they are being linked with agriculture as well as other businesses. In this connection, in Mahasamund district, along with agriculture, animal husbandry has been linked to the livelihood of the villagers. A total of 1,91,309 livestock are available in the district including about 1,78,533 cows and 12,776 buffaloes. Currently, milk production and milk business is continuously progressing in the district and a large quantity of milk is being bought and sold every day.
According to information from the Livestock Development Department, the Devbhog Milk Federation is purchasing approximately 17,200 liters of milk daily from the district. Furthermore, private dairies are also purchasing large quantities of milk from farmers, paying them on time and at a better rate. Among private dairies, Harshan Dairy Saraipali is purchasing 6,000 liters daily, Sharda Dairy Saraipali 4,000 liters, Pragati Dairy Saraipali 2,000 liters, Sharda Dairy Pithora 4,000 liters, and Gaya Dairy Mahasamund 1,000 liters daily. Thus, private dairies are purchasing approximately 17,000 liters of milk daily. Including the Devbhog Milk Federation and private dairies, approximately 34,000 liters of milk is being sold daily from the district through milk committees, an increase compared to last year.
Here in the district, farmers have been linked to milk cooperatives for milk marketing. Previously, 131 active milk cooperatives operated, and 25 new milk cooperatives have been formed in accordance with the government’s vision of prosperity through cooperation. Currently, a total of 156 active milk cooperatives operate in the district, and a proposal has been prepared to start 30 new cooperatives.
To increase milk production, livestock farmers are being continuously encouraged to produce improved green fodder and silage. Green fodder and silage are the main sources of balanced and nutritious diet for animals, which improves their health and increases milk production capacity. Silage production is being promoted to ensure the availability of green fodder throughout the year. So far, 32 livestock farmers have been provided technical information on silage production by taking them on a tour of Tank Dairy Farm, Semaria, District Raipur, and 16 beneficiaries have been provided grants for fodder production and silage production. Besides, livestock farmers are being continuously encouraged to use green fodder like Napier, Berseem, Azolla, etc. through farmer seminars.
Artificial insemination is being continuously conducted to increase the number of high-breed cattle in the district. This technology is enabling the production of a greater number of female calves, which will significantly increase milk production capacity in the future, and livestock farmers will receive high-breed dairy cows.
Various schemes are being implemented in the district to connect women self-help groups and rural families with the dairy business. Two cows are being distributed to women beneficiaries at a 50 percent subsidy, benefiting 94 livestock farmers so far. This strengthens the economic status of women and connects them with self-employment. Similarly, the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) is implementing a cow distribution scheme for 50 tribal families in Mahasamund district. This scheme connects tribal families with the dairy business, increasing their income and promoting self-reliance. The district’s milk production and marketing situation remains consistently strong and progressive.