Increased MSP on milk: Himachal Government promoting economic activities in rural areas

Hilly terrains of Himachal Pradesh present many restrictions on farming activities in the state as there is lesser availability of cultivable land. Agriculturists of the state fall in the category of small farmers because of availability of a handful of cultivable land, that too in distant area and in patches. Therefore, it becomes necessary for an agriculturist to adopt multiple other practices like animal husbandry, fish farming, cow rearing or poultry farming etc. as a source of additional income to take care of oneself and family.

Keeping this in view, the State Government has come up with various initiatives and schemes to promote animal husbandry, cattle farming in particular, as it is another important element in the shining and growing economy of Himachal. The upcoming fiscal budget consists of various measures to be undertaken by the government for the benefit of the farmers and substantially increase their income. With an aim of promoting milk production on a large scale across the state, the government has taken the historic decision of significantly raising the Minimum Support Price (MSP) of cow and buffalo milk to Rs. 45 and Rs. 55, respectively.

Himachal Pradesh has become the first state in the country to ensure the MSP on the purchase of milk, thereby strengthening the financial condition of the cattle rearers. The step will also motivate youth to adopt animal husbandry and farming as profitable ventures. The State Government has also decided that the Agricultural Produce Marketing Committee would not levy ‘Mandi Fee’ on the milk production societies like Milkfed, Kamdhenu Hitkari Manch and others, beginning 1st April, 2024.