Bihar aims to double milk output in 2 years, tackle stray cattle

The Bihar government has announced a bold plan to double milk production within the next two years, alongside a new drive to rehabilitate stray cattle by integrating them into productive dairy programs. Under the proposal, stray cows, buffaloes, and bulls roaming streets will be systematically sheltered — at the “pr block” level — and the government will give incentives to bring them under organized dairy farming. The initiative aims not only to safeguard urban safety and reduce stray-animal nuisance but also to boost rural incomes, expand milk procurement, and strengthen the dairy value-chain in Bihar.

Why This Matters

Bihar is already scaling up dairy infrastructure. Under federal schemes such as National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD) and state-level investments, several processing plants are being commissioned or expanded.

For instance, a milk-processing plant with capacity of 1 lakh litres per day is under development in Gopalganj district — one among many that seek to link small dairy farmers to formal supply chains and provide stable off-take for their produce.

With such infrastructure, doubling milk output could mean improved incomes for thousands of rural households, better procurement stability, and a stronger role for Bihar in supplying dairy to other parts of India.

What Will It Require

To meet this goal, Bihar will need to improve breed quality, ramp up fodder availability, and enhance veterinary and animal-welfare services — exactly the priorities the plan identifies.

The strategy also depends on effective rehabilitation and integration of stray cattle — which, if managed well, could turn a social challenge into productive dairy assets, reducing the burden of unproductive stray animals and converting them into milk producers.

Additionally, structured support — such as subsidies, processing capacity, cold-chain logistics, and procurement mechanisms — will be necessary to ensure that increased production does not simply lead to oversupply or wastage but translates into resilient dairy supply and better farmer incomes.

What to Watch Next

• How quickly the government can bring stray cattle under organized farms or shelters.

• Whether new dairy processing plants get completed on time and connect local producers to stable markets.

• If fodder supply, veterinary services, and breed-improvement schemes keep pace with increased herd sizes.

• Impact on milk availability and prices — both within Bihar and in neighboring states dependent on inter-state supply.

Source : Dairynews7x7 Nov 28th 2025 TOI