Bhubaneswar, Nov 5: Odisha's dairy sector lags significantly behind other states, necessitating immediate intervention by the state government to meet the rising demand for milk and uplift the economic prospects of impoverished and marginal farmers in the region.

Despite being one of the top 10 states with the highest cattle population in the country, Odisha ranked a disappointing 18th in terms of milk production during the 2021-22 period. The per capita milk availability in the state is merely 144 grams per day, a stark contrast to the national average of 444 grams.

This concerning state of the dairy industry in Odisha was highlighted in an approach note recently published by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). The NABARD report points out the alarming disparities, stating, "Even the per-capita milk availability in the state is quite low compared to the national average (444 g/day) as well as ICMR recommendation of 300 gm/day from the basic nutritional requirement viewpoint."

NABARD, as India's apex development bank, identifies several issues hampering the growth of the dairy sector in Odisha. Major obstacles outlined in the note include low production capacity of the existing cattle stock, scarcity of fodder, inadequate veterinary services, delayed Artificial Insemination (AI) service delivery, and a high number of inactive or underperforming milk cooperative societies, among others.

The report draws attention to data from the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD), which reveals that the majority of animals in the state have low productivity. During the 2021-22 period, the average milk yields for crossbred, indigenous, and nondescript cattle in Odisha were a mere 6.76 liters per day, 2.66 liters per day, and 1.42 liters per day, respectively. In contrast, the national average yields for these categories were significantly higher at 8.32 liters per day, 4.07 liters per day, and 2.83 liters per day, emphasizing the need for improvement in Odisha's cattle productivity.

Furthermore, the report underscores the insufficient support provided by the government to the Odisha State Cooperative Milk Producers Federation (OMFED), an apex-level Dairy Cooperative Society owned by the state government. Addressing these issues and enhancing support for the dairy sector is crucial to elevate Odisha's position and bridge the gap with other states in this vital agricultural industry.

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