India stands first on global milk production scenario. Milk production has increased to 146.31 million tonne in 2014-15.
Despite increase in total milk production in the country, milk productivity per animal is far less than the average in developed dairy nations.
Science and technology led development in agriculture has resulted in many fold enhancement in productivity and production of different crops and commodities to match the pace of growth in food demand.
The seed-water-fertilizer technology that brought about growth in agriculture also had its negative externalities to deal with. Increased fertilizer use that was essential for increasing the yield levels has begun to create soil problems due to unbalanced use of fertilizers. The paddy-wheat crop rotation annually removes more than 800kg/ha of nitrogen, phosphorus oxide and potassium oxide. Also, it takes a heavy toll on the micronutrient availability in the soil, such as zinc, iron, manganese and copper.
Deterioration in soil health is not only manifested in stagnating crop yields, but poor plant health also has adverse health effect for humans and livestock. Deficiency of minerals in the body makes them more susceptible to a number of diseases and disorders.
Keeping this in view, Government has launched the Soil Health Card Scheme. Under Soil Health Card Scheme, all farmers of the country will be given soil health card by 2017.
Government has launched Parampragat Krishi Vikas Yojana for the first time so as to promote organic farming.
India has vast network of institutions for imparting higher education in various agriculture and allied disciplines.
ICAR has taken several initiatives like Student REDDY, ARYA (Attracting and retaining youth in Agin) etc.
PM has conceptualised the scheme of “Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav” to take the technologies developed by the scientists in the field and make the villages a practical learning laboratory for the scientists. There are about 20000 scientists in the agriculture sector who will go the villages and directly work for the development of the villages, especially disseminating agriculture knowledge to them.
Today we have been able to provide on an average 302 gm per person per day milk in the country which is more than the minimum required recommended by the WHO.
A new initiative as National Gokul Mission has been launched for preservation and promotion of indigenously-breeded cows under national bovine genetic and dairy development programme. Two new national Kamdhenu Breeding Centres are being set up.