Bhubaneswar: OMFED is the cornerstone of the white revolution in Odisha. It has become a driving force in empowering dairy farmers and increasing milk production in the state.
In the coming days, the state government aims to provide 10,000 high-yielding breed cows to farmers through the Mukhyamantri Kamadhenu Yojana to enhance milk production.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi stated that by promoting dairy farming, the state’s cow economy will be strengthened. He made these remarks during an agreement signing ceremony between the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and OMFED held in Cuttack today.
Notably, through this agreement with OMFED, the NDDB will supply approximately 3,000 to 4,000 high-yielding Gir, Sahiwal, and crossbred cows to dairy farmers in Odisha. Additionally, with NDDB’s support, a biogas plant will be established in the state in the near future.
On this occasion, the Chief Minister distributed 22 milk tankers with capacities ranging from 2,000 to 15,000 liters, built at a cost of ₹7.50 crore, to various Milk Unions. He also inaugurated three milk powder packaging machines installed at a cost of ₹3.50 crore.
The Chief Minister stated that these facilities will enable the collection of significantly higher quantities of milk from farmers in the state. Currently, Odisha’s milk production stands at 72 lakh liters. The target is to increase this to 165 lakh liters by 2036 and 274 lakh liters by 2047. He further noted that for the past 45 years, OMFED has played a crucial role in milk production, collection, and sales, as well as in the economic development of dairy farmers in the state.
OMFED has diversified its products, now producing milk powder, paneer, butter, chhena poda, ice cream, flavoured milk, sweet curd, peda, rabidi, and more. The youth are also earning good income through these initiatives. Additionally, an agreement has been signed between OMFED and the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration to supply approximately 30 metric tons of ghee for Mahaprasad and other temple rituals.
The Chief Minister further stated that, with NDDB’s collaboration, OMFED plans to establish a biogas plant. By producing gas from cow dung, farmers can use it for their needs and sell surplus gas. The remaining cow dung slurry can be used in agricultural fields to enhance crop production. This will enable cattle rearers to generate income from cow dung, thereby strengthening the state’s cow economy.
The Chief Minister added that due to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visionary and people-centric schemes, per capita milk production in the country stands at 471 grams, significantly higher than the global average. The state government is providing up to 70% financial assistance to farmers under the Mukhyamantri Kamadhenu Yojana to boost milk production. This will benefit approximately 15 lakh cattle rearers in the state. In the financial year 2024-25, 300,000 beneficiaries have already received ₹71 crore in assistance under this scheme. The government has also implemented the Gomata Yojana for the protection, management, and treatment of cows. The state aims to support the establishment of new goshalas (cow shelters) and provide assistance to registered goshalas under the Mukhyamantri Prani Kalyan Yojana. These measures will enhance per capita milk production in the state.
During the event, the Chief Minister also inaugurated 62 quarters for OMFED dairy plant employees and new milk tankers and milk powder packaging machines. At OMFED’s central meeting hall, departmental officials presented details of the Mukhyamantri Kamadhenu Yojana to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi through a PowerPoint presentation. The Chief Minister interacted with dairy farmers, inquiring about their facilities and challenges.
The event was attended by Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Minister Gokulananda Mallik, Cuttack MP Bhartruhari Mahtab, OMFED Chairman Kishore Chandra Pradhani, Principal Secretary of Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Department Suresh Kumar Vashishth, NDDB Dairy Services Managing Director Debananda, OMFED Managing Director Vijay Amrut Kulange, members of OMFED’s managing committee, and chairpersons of various Milk Unions, among others.
