Kerala will attain self-sufficiency in milk, egg, and meat production by 2031 : Minister

Kerala will achieve total self-sufficiency in milk, egg, and meat production by the year 2031, Minister for Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development J. Chinchu Rani said here on Saturday (February 21, 2026).

Speaking at the foundation stone-laying ceremony for the Advanced Technologies in Bovine Production and Research Centre at the Kerala Livestock Development Board farm in Kulathuppuzha, the Minister highlighted the State’s steady progress, noting a current 14% increase in milk production which now stands at 25.27 lakh tonnes annually. “The government’s roadmap for the next decade focusses on enhancing the average productivity of cattle by 12.5% through the implementation of modern breeding techniques and superior genetic development,” said the Minister.

Central to this mission is the establishment of the new Centre of Excellence, being constructed with a total investment of ₹80 crore. Once operational, the facility will indigenously develop sex-sorted semen and IVF media that are currently imported at high costs, making advanced reproductive technologies accessible to local farmers at much lower rates. The project is launching its first phase with an initial outlay of ₹15 crore and will initially manage a herd of two hundred cattle. To complement these technical advancements, the State is also prioritising eco-friendly livestock management by providing anti-methanogenic feed supplements like Harit Dhara to reduce the environmental impact of dairy farming.

The Minister added that a comprehensive support system has been designed to safeguard the livelihoods of dairy farmers across the State. This includes the deployment of veterinary ambulances in every block, the establishment of heifer parks for the purchase of subsidised cattle, and the introduction of a Statewide comprehensive insurance scheme. Additionally, the government plans to distribute lab-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 that these integrated efforts will solidify Kerala’s position as a leader in dairy and livestock productivity.

The ceremony, presided over by P.S. Supal, MLA, concluded with the exchange of a Memorandum of Understanding for a secondary research unit in Mattupetty. Key officials including KLD Board managing director R. Rajeev and Kulathuppuzha grama panchayat president Sainaba Beevi also spoke on the occasion.