SRINAGAR: Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Baramulla district in north Kashmir for leading the “white revolution,” with a daily production of over 5.5 lakh litres of milk.
During his monthly radio program ‘Mann ki Baat,’ he highlighted that Jammu and Kashmir’s positive developments were gaining global attention. PM Modi remarked, “Some time ago I told you in ‘Mann Ki Baat’ how Nadru of Kashmir is relished outside the country as well. Now people of Baramulla district have done a great job.”
He acknowledged that although farming has been prevalent in the district for a long time, there was a milk shortage. However, the people of Baramulla seized the opportunity and actively participated in the dairy sector, with women leading the way. PM Modi stated, “Women were the first ones to come forward in this sector.”
As an example, the Prime Minister highlighted the success story of Ishrat Nabi, a graduate from Nehlpora, Pattan, who established her dairy unit called ‘Mir Sisters Dairy Farm.’
“Every day, approximately 150 liters of milk are sold at her dairy unit,” stated the PM.
Ishrat initiated her dairy unit under the Integrated Dairy Development Scheme (IDDS) offered by the Animal Husbandry Department. The scheme provides a 50 percent subsidy on necessary machinery and equipment for setting up the dairy unit, following a thorough verification process by the department.
“We invested our own funds to construct a shed and applied for subsidies to procure machines and livestock,” explained Yamar Meer, Ishrat’s brother.
“Our dairy unit houses 12 cows that yield a substantial quantity of milk on a daily basis,” he added.
According to the scheme’s guidelines, the Animal Husbandry Department offers incentives and subsidies to support various aspects of dairy unit establishment, including milk collection, chilling, processing units, market infrastructure such as milk ATMs, and transportation systems for milk and milk products.
Furthermore, while highlighting another successful dairy unit, the Prime Minister mentioned Wasim Enayat from Sopore, who owns more than two dozen animals on his farm.
“He sells over 200 liters of milk daily,” the PM stated.
Another young individual, Abid Hussain Mir from Nillah, Pattan, is also involved in the dairy sector, with his unit being sponsored by the Animal Husbandry Department in Baramulla district under the IDDS 2022-23 scheme.
“His enterprise is progressing exceptionally well,” the PM remarked.
Prime Minister Modi expressed that the efforts of these individuals have led to a daily production of over 5.5 lakh litres of milk in Baramulla.
“With the establishment of more than 500 dairy units in the district over the past two and a half to three years, the entire Baramulla is becoming the face of a new white revolution,” he explained.
Modi emphasised that Baramulla’s flourishing dairy industry serves as evidence that every part of the country is filled with possibilities.
“The collective determination of the people in any region can help achieve any goal,” he concluded.
