Data compiled by National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), a regulatory body for dairy sector, states that dairies are collecting and supplying a total of 475,000 liters of milk everyday, which is far below the daily demand of one million liters during the lean period between January to July. Even during the flush season the supply reaches to 710,000 liters, much below the one million mark. [break]
DDC, which has the capacity to process 2,25,000 liters of fresh milk everyday can supply 1,50,000 liters during the lean season and 235,000 liters during flush season. Similarly, private dairies, which have collective capacity to process 7,75,000 liters of milk per day, supply 4,75,000 liters during flush season and 3,75,000 liters during lean season.
Mani Kumar Shrestha, a senior livestock development officer at Directorate of Livestock Production, said given the widening deficit of milk in the market, the government has been planning to launch different programs to increase milk production in order to meet the demands.
Shrestha said the artificial insemination program--aimed at increasing the number of cattle of improved breeds--operational in 25 districts, will expand to 53 districts in three years time. Similarly, a forage mission program will be conjointly implemented in the 53 districts within three years to support dairy production.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture Development, total 1.55 tons of fresh milk is produced annually from 2.26 million cows and buffalos across the country.
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