Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and laid the foundation for multiple projects worth more than Rs 1000 crore at Sabar Dairy in Gujarat’s Sabarkantha district on Thursday, with the goal of boosting the rural economy, empowering local farmers and milk producers, and growing their income.
The Prime Minister congratulated Sukanya Samriddhi Scheme beneficiaries and top female milk producers. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel was among those in attendance.
The Prime Minister told the audience that Sabar Dairy’s capacity would be increased further with the addition of a modern milk powder plant and one more line in the aseptic packing section.
The Prime Minister also remembered Shri Bhurabhai Patel, one of the Sabar Dairy’s founders. The Prime Minister also recalled his long association with the area and its people, according to a release from the Prime Minister’s Office .
Recalling the region’s deprivation and drought two decades ago, PM Modi recalled how, as Chief Minister, he enlisted the people’s cooperation and attempted to improve the situation. He stated that the key component of those efforts was cattle rearing and dairying.
He also discussed steps for promoting animal husbandry, such as providing fodder and medicine, as well as promoting Ayurvedic treatment for cattle.
The Prime Minister noted with pride that the dairy market in Gujarat has reached Rs 1 lakh crore as a result of efforts over the last two decades. He claims that the majority of milk payments are made to women.
“The strategy of creating alternative income streams for farmers is bearing fruit. Horticulture, fishery, honey production are giving good income to the farmers. Khadi and Gramodyog turnover has gone over one lakh crore for the first time. More than 1.5 crore new jobs were created in this sector in villages,” .
The Prime Minister said that measures like increasing ethanol blending in petrol are creating new avenues for the farmers. “Until 2014, less than 400 million litres of ethanol was blended in the country. Today it is reaching around 400 crore litres. Our government has also given Kisan Credit Cards to more than 3 crore farmers by running a special campaign in the last 2 years”.
The Prime Minister said that steps like neem-coating of urea, opening closed fertiliser plants and promoting nano fertilisers and ensuring urea availability at affordable prices despite global price like have benefited the farmers of the country of Gujarat.