To provide monetary help to the people affected due to Covid-19, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has released Rs 11 crore fund for one lakh dairy farmers in the state.
As per data, over 3,600 milk production cooperatives & 2.83 lakh dairy farmers producing milk in Odisha fall under the ambit of OMFED or Odisha Milk Federation. In addition, there are 1,292 women's cooperatives & 1.5 lakh women farmers who have also contributed to the production of milk.
Patnaik said that the state government has always been with the deprived and is working to protect their interests. He added that his government has deposited more than Rs200 billion in bank accounts of small farmers, small store owners and Mission Shakti women members to help them deal with the pandemic.
Patnaik also highlighted the contribution of livestock to the livelihoods of small farmers in the state. He said, "Milk has a huge role to play in boosting the livelihoods of mothers and boost nutritional value of children".
The CM said that the goal of the state government is to boost milk production and further improve the nutrition level of Odisha.
Three farmers from Cuttack, Bargarh and Nabarangpur spoke to the chief minister and thanked him for this special assistance. They said the state government has always provided a lot of support to dairy farmers.
Patnaik also said that the state government is helping country's dairy farmers through a variety of schemes. He recommended dairy farmers to use these initiatives and schemes to meet India’s milk production goals.
Various programs and initiatives were highlighted by Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment, Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Minister, Arun Sahu for the development of agriculture sector and farmers.
Suresh Chandra Mahapatra, Agricultural Production Commissioner of Odisha, RK Sharma and the Principal Secretary of the various sectors were also present during the event.
