In a major boost to India’s livestock and dairy sector, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated projects worth ₹947 crore and laid the foundation stone for an additional project valued at ₹219 crore in New Delhi. The initiatives are part of a broader package aimed at enhancing investments across the agriculture and allied sectors.
These developments were launched alongside two key national schemes — the Pradhan Mantri Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana (PM-DDKY) and the Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses, reaffirming the government’s resolve to strengthen rural livelihoods and advance self-reliance in agri-allied industries.
Addressing the nation, Prime Minister Modi underscored the crucial role of livestock, fisheries, and allied activities in driving rural prosperity. “The PM Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana is also focusing on our livestock. More than 125 crore free vaccines have been administered to protect animals from diseases like Foot and Mouth Disease, ensuring healthy livestock and easing farmers’ concerns,” he said. Modi further emphasized the need for diversification in rural economies, adding, “Where farming isn’t possible, animal husbandry and fisheries must be promoted. Our government is giving farmers options beyond traditional farming to boost their income through livestock, fishery, and beekeeping.”
A key highlight of the event was the inauguration of the first IVF Laboratory in the North-Eastern Region, established under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) in Guwahati, Assam, with an investment of ₹28.93 crore. The state-of-the-art facility will provide a strong impetus to dairy development and genetic improvement of livestock in the region.
Under the National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD), several large-scale dairy infrastructure projects were inaugurated. These include the Mehsana Milk Union project in Gujarat, featuring a 120 metric tonnes per day Milk Powder Plant and a 3.5 lakh litres per day UHT Plant developed at a cost of ₹460 crore. Other projects include a 30 TPD Milk Powder Plant by the Indore Milk Union (₹76.50 crore), a 25,000 LPD UHT Plant by the Bhilwara Milk Union (₹46.82 crore), and a Greenfield Dairy Plant at Nustulapur, Karimnagar, Telangana (₹25.45 crore).
Expanding the dairy network further, the foundation stone was laid for an Integrated Dairy Plant and 200 TPD Cattle Feed Plant in Kuppam Mandal, Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh, involving a total investment of ₹219 crore under the NPDD.
Additionally, under the Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF), ten projects worth ₹303.81 crore were inaugurated across various states to enhance India’s capacity for feed, milk, and animal product processing.
In a move to strengthen last-mile service delivery, the Prime Minister awarded certificates to 2,000 newly trained MAITRIs (Multipurpose Artificial Insemination Technicians in Rural India) from all districts of Uttar Pradesh. Under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission, over 38,000 MAITRIs have been inducted nationwide, marking a major milestone in expanding artificial insemination coverage and improving the genetic quality of livestock.
These initiatives collectively highlight the government’s commitment to integrated and sustainable development of agriculture and allied sectors, aimed at enhancing farmers’ income, promoting rural entrepreneurship, and ensuring economic and nutritional security for all.