Gadkari says test-tube cows to boost dairy output as Datta Meghe memorial opens in Nagpur

The memorial to People's leader Datta Meghe was inaugurated in Nagpur. The Nandkishor Jaiswal Agriculture College and the Shalinitai Meghe Veterinary Hospital were also opened at the event. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat were present.

In his speech, Gadkari said Datta Meghe began his journey in extremely difficult circumstances. He built many educational institutions in Nagpur and Wardha. According to Gadkari, Meghe wished to see a veterinary hospital start in Ramtek. Sagar Meghe has fulfilled that dream.

Gadkari said Mother Dairy is working on a large scale in Vidarbha and collects one million litres of milk a day from Nagpur. "But the whole of Vidarbha does not produce as much milk as Kolhapur alone, and I regret that," he said. He said the veterinary hospital and the Mother Dairy initiative would be a big help to milk-producing farmers.

Gadkari said that just as test-tube baby technology was developed, test-tube cows, that is, breeding of cows using modern technology, would now be tried. New technology would be used to raise milk output of indigenous cows. According to him, the region will in future have the highest milk production, and Mother Dairy will give it a big boost. He also said Orange Barfi is now liked by people in Delhi too.

Gadkari said both colleges would put greater emphasis on developing agriculture and animal husbandry. He said farmers in this region have died by suicide in large numbers, but their difficulties would ease if modern technology were developed in agriculture. He expressed confidence that farmers would certainly prosper if goat-rearing projects, the dairy industry and modern farming technology were developed.

Gadkari said Mohan Bhagwat is himself a veterinarian and it was a matter of good fortune for all that the project was being inaugurated by him. He said he was fully confident the project would succeed, and extended his heartfelt good wishes and blessings for it.

Farmers in the state are in distress because of drought, and standing crops have been scorched. The government gave farmers advance assistance before Diwali. Farmers are still looking to government help.