Lok Sabha Debates
Need To Take Measures To Address The Problems Being Faced By Dairy Sector. on 26 February, 2013
> Title: Need to take measures to address the problems being faced by Dairy Sector.
SHRI P.T. THOMAS (IDUKKI): Mr. Chairman, Sir, I request the attention of the Government towards the issues of dairy sector in the country. The dairy farmers are facing severe crisis and many of them are leaving this profession. The majority of farmers engaged in dairy sector in our country are small and marginal farmers. Presently the banks are charging 12 per cent to 13 per cent interest on dairy loans. It is necessary to take measures to strengthen cooperative societies and to provide dairy loans at low interest rates as in the case of agricultural loans.
For the last several months dairy farmers are not getting the 25 per cent subsidy from NABARD under Dairy Entrepreneurship Development Scheme (DEDS) due to shortage of funds. It should be considered to include dairy sector under the permissible works of MGNREGA. Such a step would definitely help to increase the productivity of dairy sector in the country. If the output of ten litre milk per day be treated at par with one man-day and be paid equivalent wages, it will be helpful for the farmers. Such a decision will definitely be helpful to attract more farmers to this sector and to increase productivity.
SHRI S.S. RAMASUBBU (TIRUNELVELI): Sir, I would like to associate with Shri P.T. Thomas on this issue.