Farmers to profit even in drought if support irrigation used: Govt

Support irrigation would include providing access to water in the tribal areas by bringing water sources closer to the farms. “We are working on constructing private wells,group wells and strengthening the local network with the dairy co-operative,” Tiwari added.

The department is also working towards strengthening the integrated cooperative dairy network by registering farmers. “We have tied up with several cooperative dairies like Banas,Sabar,Panchmahals and Vasudhara as partners in the tribal area development scheme,” Tiwari said.

The department will focus on technical and managerial capabilities of the existing milk cooperatives working in the tribal areas. These dairies will help the department implement and partner development initiatives.

The dairies will help the families in the tribal areas to buy two cattle and then take up breeding at their homes. “This would help the government reduce the cost as also breed good quality cattle. The farmers would be involved in the project for a long time,” said Tiwari.

He added: “We are already working with Panchmahal,Banas and Baroda dairies in this regard. We are in the process of talks with some other dairies in order to further strengthen the project.”