Kerala Minister Sunny Joseph has said he will urge the Centre to include dairy farming under the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) to help dairy farmers address rising production costs.
Joseph made the statement while inaugurating a block-level dairy meet at Edakkad in Kannur on Saturday. According to a district administration release cited by PTI, he said the increasing cost of production remains one of the major challenges facing dairy farmers and dairy-related groups.
Joseph said several demands had been raised to address the difficulties faced by the dairy sector, with the inclusion of dairy farming under VB-G RAM G being described as the most important demand. He said he would request the Centre to consider the proposal because challenges faced by dairy farmers are also affecting related groups and enterprises.
The minister noted that many families in Kerala have depended on cattle rearing as a livelihood for a long period. The sector also includes both large and small dairy farms, while several allied activities depend on dairy farming.
These activities include fodder and fodder-grass production, which are directly linked to the availability and economics of dairy farming. Joseph said difficulties within dairy farming therefore have implications beyond individual milk-producing households.
He also pointed to assistance being provided by the state government and schemes implemented by dairy organisations to encourage farmers. However, he said the sector needs to be transformed in a way that can attract younger generations to dairy farming as a profession.
The proposal comes as Kerala's dairy sector continues to receive dedicated government support through the state's Dairy Development Department, which focuses on the overall development of dairy farming, farmer socioeconomic stability, fodder development and strengthening the cooperative dairy sector.
If the Centre considers the request, inclusion of dairy-related activities within the rural employment and livelihood framework could have implications for dairy farmers and associated activities such as fodder production. The specific scope, eligibility and implementation mechanism, however, would depend on any decision taken by the Union government.
For Kerala's dairy sector, the discussion reflects the continuing focus on controlling production costs, strengthening farmer livelihoods and creating conditions that can make dairy farming more attractive to younger producers.
Source: Dairynews7x7 28 Sep, 2026 Read Full Story Here
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