Irrigation Minister T. Harish Rao said the government was committed to developing the dairy industry and all required help would be extended in this regard. Addressing farmers after formally inaugurating the district-level cattle, sheep and other animals’ exhibition at Peddakanjarla here on Friday, Mr. Rao said the government would extend an additional amount of Rs. 4 per litre to farmers as part of encouraging dairy farming.
As a result, the overall collection of milk increased from 25,000 to 35,000 litres per day. “The insurance claim amount for cattle has also been increased from Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 60,000, and half of its premium amounting to Rs. 400 will be paid by the government,” said Mr. Harish Rao. Mr. Rao also said the government was supplying 400 metric tonnes of fodder in view of the drought conditions. Ambulance facility will also be started shortly to extend medical service.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Speaker M. Padma Devender Reddy said farmers could sustain themselves only if dairy also becomes part of their daily activity. The government will also establish sheep and goat rearing centres in the district, Mrs. Reddy said. District Collector Rahul Bojja, Animal Husbandry department director Venateswarlu and Lok Sabha member K. Prabhakar Reddy also participated.