Milk output likely to rise 4% this fiscal

Milk production is expected to grow by over four per cent to cross 133.7 million tonnes (mt) in the current fiscal, an official statement said.

“India continues to be the largest producer of milk in the world. The estimate of milk production in 2011-12 is 127.9 mt and is likely to reach 133.7 mt this year,” the statement said.

Besides milk, the production of meat and eggs are also set to rise in the current year, leading to better availability of these highly nutritious products, it said.

Meat production is expected to reach 5.9 mt in the current year, a growth of seven per cent over previous year’s 5.51 mt.

The production of eggs is likely to climb to 72.5 billion in the current year from 66.45 billion last year, the statement said. The production of various animal products has shown a steady increase over the years, the statement said.

Animals are important for the economy from employment and income-security point of view. In India, farmers of marginal, small and semi-medium operational holdings with area of less than four hectares, own 87.7 per cent of the livestock.

“It has been found that small and marginal farmers with livestock are better able to withstand the impact of drought,” it added.