Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inaugurated and laid the foundation for dairy and livestock projects worth US$140.36 million (₹1,166 crore), giving a significant push to India’s agri-allied sectors.
One of the key highlights was the inauguration of the first IVF Laboratory in the North-Eastern Region, established in Guwahati, Assam under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) with an investment of US$3.49 million (₹28.93 crore). This state-of-the-art facility will provide a major impetus to dairy development and breed improvement in the northeastern states.
Under the National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD), multiple large-scale dairy infrastructure projects were also inaugurated. The Mehsana Milk Union project includes a 120 metric tonnes per day Milk Powder Plant and a 3.5 lakh litres per day UHT Plant, developed at a cost of US$55.42 million (₹460 crore).
Additionally, the Indore Milk Union has established a 30 tonnes per day Milk Powder Plant costing US$9.22 million (₹76.50 crore). At the same time, the Bhilwara Milk Union has set up a 25,000 litres per day UHT Plant at a cost of US$5.64 million (₹46.82 crore). A Greenfield Dairy Plant has also been developed at Nustulapur, Karimnagar, Telangana, with an investment of US$3.06 million (₹25.45 crore).
Further expanding the dairy network, the foundation stone was laid for an Integrated Dairy Plant and a 200 TPD Cattle Feed Plant in Kuppam Mandal, Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh, with a total investment of US$26.39 million (₹219 crore) under the NPDD.
Under the Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF), 10 projects worth ₹303.81 crore were inaugurated across multiple states, strengthening the country’s capacity for feed, milk, and animal product processing.
To reinforce last-mile delivery of breeding services, 2,000 newly trained and equipped MAITRIs (Multipurpose Artificial Insemination Technicians in Rural India) from all districts of Uttar Pradesh were awarded certificates by the Prime Minister under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission. The event also marked the induction of over 38,000 MAITRIs across India, representing a major milestone in improving artificial insemination coverage and genetic upgradation of livestock nationwide.
In his address to the nation, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi highlighted the pivotal role of livestock, fisheries, and allied activities in strengthening rural livelihoods under the Pradhan Mantri Dhan-Dhanya Krishi Yojana (PM-DDKY).
He said, “The PM Dhan-Dhanya Krishi Yojana is also focusing on our livestock. You know, more than 125 crore vaccines have been administered free of cost to protect animals from diseases like Foot and Mouth Disease. “Due to this, the animals have become healthy and the worries of the farmers have also reduced. Under the PM Dhan-Dhanya Krishi Yojana, campaigns related to animal health will also be launched at the local level.”