Consumption of milk & milk products in urban areas in Himachal Pradesh: Projections, preferences and perspectives
- Agricultural Situation in India
- 78(1), Apr, 2021: p.15-22
Milk and milk products contribute significantly to the dietary consumption in various farms in urban areas in Himachal Pradesh. The productivity of milch cattle is low in the state and the demand for dairy products is met partially from supplies available from the adjoining states. The per capita consumption of these products is fairly good being 542 gm per day as against 375 gm per day at national level. Appraising the consumer preferences in the perspective of future demand projections is needed for development of dairy farming sector of the state economy. In this context, a study of 60 households from Shimla urban area and 30 household from Palampur urban area with reference year 2015-16 was conducted. Milk production is projected to increase from 907 million liters in 2010-11 to 1181 million liters in 2029-30. The state shows surplus milk output in terms of meeting nutritional demand as per ICMR norms (250 grams per day) but the projections also indicate significant deficit being 1441 million liters of milk output as far as economic demand fulfillment is concerned. Concerted measures are needed to meet the significant deficit in economic demand in 2029-30 keeping in view the increase in projected per capita income and population growth in the state. – Reproduced