Make cow protection centres self-reliant: Yogi

United News of India

04-05-2025

Lucknow, May 4 (UNI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday said that animal husbandry and dairy development form a vital pillar of Uttar Pradesh's rural economy, offering not just milk production but also avenues for livelihood, nutrition security and women empowerment.
Chairing a review meeting of the Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development Department, the CM called for greater use of technology, investment and innovation to strengthen the sector. He directed concrete steps to make cow protection centres self-reliant and advocated the use of cow dung-based natural paint in government buildings, along with scaling up its production.
He was informed that 11.49 lakh cows are currently sheltered in 7,693 Gau Ashray Sthals across the state, monitored through CCTV and regular inspections. He directed the officials to ensure the deployment and timely payment of caretakers, establishment of husk banks and adequate supply of water, green fodder and bran.
Yogi emphasised regular veterinary visits to these shelters. Under the 'Mukhyamantri Nirashrit Govansh Sahyogita Yojana', he directed that cows be provided to poor families without livestock.
He said, "The initiative aims at both promoting cow service and enhancing household nutrition through milk availability.
The CM proposed organising divisional-level competitions for indigenous cow breeds and recognising exemplary Gau Ashray Stahls. He suggested holding competitions for organisations producing cow-based products to encourage innovation and excellence in the sector.
He was informed that CBG plants are being set up in Varanasi and Muzaffarnagar to enhance the self-reliance of Gau Ashray Stahls. Besides, 40,968.29 hectares of pasture land have been cleared of encroachments, with 12,168.78 hectares dedicated to green fodder production.
The initiative is also generating rural employment, with women self-help groups actively involved. A total of 21,884 Gausevaks have been trained and deployed. In Bareilly, the setting up of organic manure and cow urine processing plants, in collaboration with IFFCO Aonla, is progressing at large cow conservation centers.
Yogi was informed that in 2024-25, milk procurement reached 3.97 LLPD, marking a 10 percent increase from the previous year. Membership rose by 8 percent and 24,031 milk producers were trained.
Financially, the turnover reached Rs 1,120.44 crores, reflecting a 16 percent growth. Major milk unions in Varanasi, Ayodhya, Bareilly, Mirzapur, Mathura and Basti reported a combined profit of Rs 818.22 lakh.
Emphasising the need to further boost milk production, the CM directed an increase in the number of primary cooperative societies and the training of their members. Regarding future plans, it was shared that for the year 2025-26, the target is to establish 4,922 new cooperative milk societies and provide training to 21,922 existing ones.
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