Punjab chalks out special programme to raise milk output

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab Government has created a special programme to raise milk output in the state. It is mulling to spend Rs 93 crore for raising milk production in fiscal year 2012-13. This announcement was made by the Dairy Development Minister Gulzar Singh Ranike.

Moreover, the modernisation of semen banks at Ropar and Nabha, expansion of cultivation of green fodder area, subsidies implementation on different schemes for helping the dairy farmers and on milking machines, along with the foetus import from US apart from bringing improvement in the breeds of milch-cattle was needed.

A state-of-the-art laboratory for foetus exchange come into existence in Patiala. The state government has purchased 3-lakh doses of foreign semen from the US and Canada for bringing improvement in cow breeds.