Chandigarh, November 17: The Punjab Government is preparing to launch a project that will evaluate and enhance the milk production capacity of Holstein Friesian (H.F.) cows, with the aim of boosting the profitability of the dairy farming industry within the state.

The project will begin in the first week of December 2024

Punjab’s Minister for Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development, and Fisheries, . Gurmeet Singh Khudian, shared details regarding the initiative, which has an allocated budget of Rs. 5.31 crores. He announced that the project will begin in the first week of December 2024.  Project supervisors, in partnership with local staff from the Animal Husbandry department, will take charge of selecting appropriate H.F. breed cows for milk recording purposes.

He added that they will document the milk production of approximately 13,000 Holstein Friesian (H.F.) cows across 90 villages in the districts of Ludhiana, Moga, and Fatehgarh Sahib for the financial years 2024-25 and 2025-26.  Farmers will continue to milk the designated cows at their residences, utilising a milk recorder to gather data on milk yield through a GPS-enabled smart weighing scale.

Milk Production : State Govt to Support Purchase of Male HF Calves

This data will be automatically uploaded to the national database, thereby making it accessible to farmers, government agencies, and other stakeholders across the nation. Additionally, the Animal Husbandry Minister further stated that the state government will facilitate the purchase of male HF calves delivered by these animals, which, in turn, will enhance the animals’ value. Moreover, complete milk recording will take place 2-3 times a day, depending on the farmer’s convenience, for a duration of 10 months, he added.

Furthermore, Gurmeet Singh Khudian emphasized that this initiative will empower livestock farmers to identify the genetic potential and germ plasm of their cows. It will also assist them in making informed decisions on breeding and management for enhanced productivity, while establishing the milk recording potential of these cows.

Punjab Govt to Boost Dairy Sector with HF Calf Purchase

The Animal Husbandry Minister further stated that the state government will also facilitate the purchase of male HF calves delivered by these animals, which will further enhance the value of animals. With the launch of this project, unemployed educated youth of these villages will have the opportunity to earn income as milk recorders. Additionally, this initiative will boost the animal husbandry sector in the state, besides helping to mitigate the issue of stray animals over time.