Ranchi, June 6: Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Friday laid the foundation stone of the state’s first milk powder plant. The Medha Milk Powder Plant to be built under Jharkhand Milk Federation in Ranchi at an estimated Rs 80 crore investment in the Medha Dairy Plant campus in Hotwar and will have a capacity of 20 metric tons of milk powder per day.
The plant after operation will reduce the state’s dependency on states like Assam and Chhattisgarh.
Addressing farmers from across the state, Hemant Soren described farming and animal husbandry as the most profitable business. He also called upon the farmers to become self-reliant.
He called upon the youth to adopt agriculture with respect and make it a business.
Giving the example of former Team India cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, he said that if an international cricketer can export his products abroad by farming, then why can’t we?
The Chief Minister said that the government is running many schemes for farmers, so that their income can be increased and they can become self-reliant. Along with government procurement of paddy and milk, the government is also getting livestock insured so that farmers do not suffer in case of illness or death of animals.
The Chief Minister said that in the coming 5-7 years, the state will be able to become self-sufficient in products like milk, fish and poultry. He called upon the farmers to take steps towards self-reliance.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren said that the government is standing with the farmers of the state on every front and is running many schemes to increase their income.
He informed that now the insurance of the animals given to the farmers will also be ensured, so that they can be saved from any kind of loss, so that the farmers can be compensated in the event of their death. This will provide financial security to the farmers and they will be able to make their business even stronger.
The Chief Minister informed that a plan is being worked on to take the process of milk collection in the state to the block and panchayat level. This will make it easier for the farmers to sell their products and increase their income.
Expressing concern over the fake khoya and paneer being sold in the market, the Chief Minister said that if the state itself can make quality milk and milk products, then there will be no need to eat fake goods.
Soren said that the government is buying products like paddy, milk, vegetables and will take every possible step to make the farmers self-reliant. He appealed to the farmers to work hard and take full advantage of the government schemes.
