New Delhi, December 29 2008: THE COMMISSIONER of Animal Husbandry and Diary, Government Manipur I S Laishram here today said that the Intensive Diary Development Programme (IDDP) would be extended in all five hill districts of Manipur namely Ukhrul, Chandel, Churachandpur , Tamenglong and Senapati districts.

The cost of the project was about Rs 30 crore.

It was finalized today in a meeting held at the Krishi Bhawan here with the Union Joint Secretary (Animal Husbandry) Dilip Rath.

Laishram accompanied the Managing Director of the Manipur Milk Producers Union Th Santikumar in the meeting.

Laishram said that the five hill districts would be covered under the phase III of the programme.

Under the IDDP Phase I, the Central Diary Plant at Porompat was developed.

The four valley districts namely Imphal East , Imphal West, Thoubal and Bishnupur districts were already covered under the IDDP Phase II.

He further stated that the pattern of funding would be 100% grant-in-aid basis from the Central Government to the State Milk Federation or District Milk Union.

The State Government would borne the expenditures for cost of land for chilling centres, dairy plants, liquid nitrogen plants, cattle feed storage go-downs, establishment of cattle/buffalo farms; provision of water and electricity connection; and salary of project implementation and monitoring staff.

The project would be implemented by the Manipur Milk Producers Union in view of their expertise and professionalism.

The Centre would release the fund directly to the implementing agency for speedy and timely implementation of the project.

The objectives of the Intensive Dairy Development Programme (IDDP) are development of milch cattle; increase milk production by providing technical input services; procurement, processing and marketing of milk in a cost effective manner; ensure remunerative prices to the milk producers; generate additional employment opportunities; and improve social, nutritional and economic status of residents of comparatively more disadvantaged areas.

It may be mentioned that the role of dairy development in increasing milk production, improving the nutritional standards of the people, generating direct and indirect employment opportunities and improving income level in rural areas, especially for small and marginal farmers and agricultural labourers has been well established.

The implementation of Operation Flood (OF) programme undertaken by the Centre had revealed that linking of milksheds /milk production areas to the urban markets pays rich dividends through increased availability of milk to the urban consumers and remunerative return to the rural milk producers through cooperative infrastructure.

During Operation Flood implementation period, the dairy development activities in the non-operation flood, hilly and backward areas which have comparatively lesser potential for milk production were carried out by the State Governments under the State Plan Schemes.

However, due to limited resources of the State Governments, the Central Government felt that there was a strong need on the part of Government of India to support efforts of the State Governments in taking up dairy development activities in these areas.

Accordingly, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying under the Ministry of Agriculture had launched a scheme entitled 'Integrated Dairy Development Project (IDDP) in Non-Operation Flood, Hilly and Backward Areas' on 100% grant-in-aid basis during the 8th Plan period and later on, it was renamed as Intensive Dairy Development Programme (IDDP).

The proposal to further continue the scheme in the XIth Plan period had been considered by Government of India.

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