Shimla, June 15 (NationPress) In the rural regions of Himachal Pradesh, livestock constitutes a vital part of the economy. Over the past two and a half years, the state government has implemented numerous measures to enhance animal husbandry as a dignified and sustainable source of income.

One significant initiative is the introduction of minimum support price (MSP) for cow and buffalo milk, marking it as the first state in the nation to back dairy farmers in this manner.

Currently, the government procures 225,000 liters of cow milk each day from more than 38,400 livestock owners, compensating them at Rs 51 per liter based on quality, according to an official announcement on Sunday.

In a similar vein, 7,800 liters of buffalo milk is being sourced from 1,482 farmers at Rs 61 per liter.

A pilot initiative for goat milk procurement has also been introduced, offering Rs 70 per liter. To enhance veterinary services at the grassroots level, the government has deployed 44 mobile veterinary units throughout the state.

These units deliver doorstep services, ensuring that livestock owners in even the most remote areas receive prompt medical assistance for their animals.

To further assist with livestock issues, a toll-free helpline (1962) is operational, having already addressed over 18,700 disease-related calls and 17,850 other inquiries.

To promote the welfare of marginalized farmers, the government has launched the Garbhit Pashu Aahar Yojna, which has provided 31,110 livestock owners with high-quality animal feed at a 50% subsidy.

This initiative has significantly improved animal health and milk production.

Moreover, the state has actively encouraged poultry farming through the Him Poultry Scheme.

So far, 602,500 one-day-old broiler chicks have been distributed, and Rs 6.13 crore has been allocated for establishing 155 commercial broiler units, creating new income opportunities for youth and small farmers.

To reinforce milk supply chains, new milk procurement cooperative societies have been established, with 5,166 farmers already registered.

These cooperatives aim to ensure fair pricing, mitigate exploitation by intermediaries, and enhance farmers' profits.

“These initiatives will not only bolster the rural economy but also play a crucial role in the overall advancement of the state,” stated the Chief Minister.