Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development Minister J. Chinchurani at the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Center for Advanced Technology in Cattle Production and Research, which was established at Kulathuppuzha Kerala Livestock Development Board farm. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Kerala will achieve complete self-sufficiency in milk, egg and meat production by 2031, Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development Minister J. Chinchu Rani said here on Saturday (February 21, 2026).
Inaugurating the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Center for Advanced Technology in Cattle Production and Research at the Kerala Livestock Development Board farm in Kulathuppuzha, the Minister highlighted the steady progress of the state and noted the current 14% increase in milk production which now stands at 25.27 million tonnes per annum. “The government’s plan for the next decade aims to increase average cattle productivity by 12.5% through the introduction of modern breeding techniques and cutting-edge genetic development,” the minister said.
Central to this mission is the establishment of a new Center of Excellence, the construction of which has been underway with a total investment of ₹ 80 crore. Once operational, the facility will develop sex-sorted sperm and IVF media that are currently imported at high cost, making advanced reproductive technologies available to local farmers at much lower prices. The project is starting its first phase with an initial outlay of ₹ 15 crore and will initially manage a herd of two hundred cattle. To complement these technical advances, the state is also promoting eco-friendly livestock farming by providing anti-methanogenic feed supplements such as Harit Dhara to reduce the environmental impact of dairy farming.
The minister added that a comprehensive support system has been designed to ensure the livelihood of dairy farmers throughout the state. This includes deployment of veterinary dispensaries in every block, establishment of heifers for purchase of subsidized cattle and introduction of nationwide comprehensive insurance. In addition, the government plans to distribute laboratory-produced embryos and high-quality semen directly to farmers to ensure the long-term genetic health of Kerala’s livestock. Noting that Milma remains a profitable venture in the state, the minister said this integrated effort would cement Kerala’s position as a leader in milk and livestock production.
The ceremony, presided over by PS Supal, MLA, concluded with the exchange of an MoU for the secondary research unit at Mattupetta. Key officials including KLD CEO R. Rajeev and Kulathuppuzha grama panchayat president Sainab Beevi also spoke on the occasion.
Published – 21 Feb 2026 20:26 IST
