Kashmir’s Dairy Renaissance: How Support and Innovation are Transforming the Industry
In recent years, dairy farming in the Kashmir Valley has flourished, thanks to significant administrative backing and strategic support. Various government schemes have notably benefitted local farmers and bolstered the region’s dairy sector.
Official reports reveal ambitious targets set by the administration, including the establishment of 3,000 new dairy farms. Milk production is projected to rise dramatically from 25 to 45 lakh metric tons, while milk collection and chilling capacity is expected to jump from 2.0 to 8.5 lakh liters per day over the next five years.
Additionally, 1,800 PashuSakhis will be incentivized for their work in ration balancing for 600,000 cows and maintaining records for 30,000 dairy cows. The plan also includes the creation of 60,000 backyard poultry units in rural areas. To support these efforts, hybrid fodder seed kits will be provided for 3,600 hectares of land, along with the establishment of 100 hydroponic fodder units, 60 silage-making units, and six fodder depots to address fodder shortages.
The agriculture sector, a cornerstone of Jammu and Kashmir’s economy, contributes 16.18 percent to the region’s GDP, with dairy farming accounting for 35 percent of this contribution. The sector is crucial for many rural livelihoods, and the increased support has led to significant growth and development.
Shabir Ahmad from Pulwama, who launched two dairy farms with five cows each in 2021, has seen firsthand the benefits of these schemes. “We received a subsidy of Rs 1.75 lakh for each unit, and now we produce up to 200 liters of milk daily, selling it to dealers,” the 25-year-old said. Ahmad’s family also offers home delivery of milk, hiring staff and pricing it at Rs 45 per liter. “We earn around Rs 10,000 a day, with expenses of about Rs 5,000 on feed and wages, netting over a lakh a month in profit,” he added. Ahmad encourages other young people to seize similar opportunities in dairy farming, noting its potential for profitable returns.
Beyond supporting farmers in acquiring cattle, the schemes provide critical equipment such as milking machines, cheese-making machines, and mechanized tools for khoya, dahi, cream, ice cream, butter, and ghee production. Additionally, milk vans and milk ATMs are available at a 50 percent subsidy, further enhancing the sector’s infrastructure and efficiency.
