CM Yogi calls for economic self-reliance of cow shelters

Lucknow : Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath emphasized 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 on Sunday, he called for greater use of technology, investment, and innovation to strengthen the sector.

He also directed concrete steps to make cow protection centers self-reliant and advocated the use of cow dung-based natural paint in government buildings, along with scaling up its production.

The Chief Minister 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 instructed officials to ensure the deployment and timely payment of caretakers, establishment of husk banks, and adequate supply of water, green fodder, and bran.

He also emphasized regular veterinary visits to these shelters. Under the ‘Mukhyamantri Nirashrit Govansh Sahyogita Yojana’, the Chief Minister directed that cows be provided to poor families without livestock. The initiative aims at both promoting cow service and enhancing household nutrition through milk availability.

Furthermore, the Chief Minister proposed organizing divisional-level competitions for indigenous cow breeds and recognizing exemplary Gau Ashray Sthals. He also suggested holding competitions for organizations producing cow-based products to encourage innovation and excellence in the sector.

The Chief Minister was informed that CBG plants are being set up in Varanasi and Muzaffarnagar to enhance the self-reliance of Gau Ashray Sthals. Additionally, 40,968.29 hectares of pasture land have been cleared of encroachments, with 12,168.78 hectares dedicated to green fodder production. This 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 establishment of organic manure and cow urine processing plants, in collaboration with IFFCO Awanla, is progressing at large cow conservation centers.

The Chief Minister was informed that in 2024-25, milk procurement reached 3.97 LLPD, marking a 10% increase from the previous year. Membership rose by 8%, and 24,031 milk producers were trained. Financially, the turnover reached Rs 1,120.44 crores, reflecting a 16% growth. Major milk unions in Varanasi, Ayodhya, Bareilly, Mirzapur, Mathura, and Basti reported a combined profit of ₹818.22 lakh. Emphasizing the need to further boost milk production, the Chief Minister 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.