OMFED to launch premium milk brand

Odisha Channel Bureau Bhubaneswar: Odisha State Cooperative Milk Producers’ Federation (OMFED) will soon start exclusive procurement and marketing of Binjharpuri cow milk and Chilika buffalo milk under premium brands which will help in better conservation and development of these indigenous breeds.This was announced by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik while inaugurating a workshop of Odisha Bovine Breeding Policy 2015 here today.The Bovine Breeding Policy explicitly focuses on conservation and improvement of native breeds available in the state, he said.Animal Health Camps will be conducted at Panchayat level to address the infertility problems of cows and buffaloes, he added. Patnaik said that OMFED will also set up an automated dairy plant at the cost of Rs.285 crore to meet the future needs of the State.A programme has been worked out for taking up fodder cultivation in 75 thousand hectares of area during the current Rabi season, Patnaik said. Stating that the State government has taken a significant step in announcing a comprehensive Bovine Breeding Policy for the overall growth of dairy sector, Patnaik expressed hope that the farmers of the State would use the opportunities of the new policy for greater benefits.“This policy will assist in upgrading the genetic potentiality of our dairy animals to enhance their productivity.The policy will also enable the farmers to produce productive dairy animals suitable to our local conditions.“Odisha Livestock Resource Development Society will spearhead bovine breeding activities in the state and the breeding assets will be transferred to society,” he said.As the State government has taken the initiative to fill up the vacant posts in various departments on a priority basis, appointment letters were handed over to 155 Veterinary Assistant Surgeons at the workshop.Agriculture Minister Pradeep Maharathy, Culture Minister Ashok Panda, MLA Priyadarshi Mishra, Dev Commissioner R.Balakrishnan, Fisheries & Animal Resources Development Department Secretary Bishnupada Sethi and others attended.