State on path to self-sufficiency in milk production: Minister

Ranchi: Agriculture, animal husbandry and cooperation minister Shilpi Neha Tirkey on Monday said that Jharkhand is rapidly moving towards self-sufficiency in milk production with the help of effective and farmer-centric initiatives.

On the occasion of World Milk Day, she wrote on X: “More than 70,000 farmers are connected to the Jharkhand Milk Federation (JMF) today. Our goal is to reach 50,000 kg per day by 2028-29... Jharkhand is rapidly moving towards self-reliance in the field of dairy production.”

This year’s theme was ‘celebrating women farmers’. Tirkey told TOI, “We want more women to participate in dairy farming. In fact, there are many fields which are led by women.”

The minister said that in a limited time, the JMF has achieved remarkable achievements, a result of the hard work and dedication of the state’s dairy farmers and the govt policies. State govt is providing an incentive of Rs 5 per litre to farmers associated with JMF to encourage larger participation in dairy activities.

She said that the average milk collection in 2025-26 was 2,40,000 kg per day, which has now increased to 2,80,000 kg daily. “This is a testament to the strengthening foundation of the dairy sector and the growing confidence of farmers,” she said.

She added, “Two new dairy plants are also being established in Giridih and Seraikela-Kharsawan districts. Additionally, a state-of-the-art milk powder plant and a product dairy plant is coming up in Hotwar, Ranchi. These will increase the state’s milk processing capacity, provide better markets to farmers and ensure a increase in their income.”

A 3,000-litre bulk milk cooler (BMC) was inaugurated in Ranchi district’s Ratu block on Monday. Officials said it was established with a grant received from the govt. It will benefit milk producers through quality collection, better marketing facilities and income enhancement, officials added.