Days after TripuraChief Minister Biplab Debadvised youth to rear cows for regular income rather than running after government jobs, GujaratCooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) chief R S Sodhitoday came out in his support saying it is a practical suggestion to eliminate unemployment.
Sodhi, Managing Directorof Gcmmfwhich sells its products under the 'Amul' brand name, said the dairy sector is very lucrative, providing good income to many educated youths as well.
Gcmmfis considered as India's largest Food Productsmarketing organisation with a turnover of Rs 40,000 crore.
Recently, Debhad advised the youths that income can be generated by rearing cows, pigs or poultry birds, triggering sharp reactions from critics who slammed his remarks saying the State Governmentshould rather talk about generating jobs.
However, Sodhisaid that cow or Buffalorearing is a far better option, especially in Tripura, which has to import milk worth crores of rupees every year despite having favourable geographical conditions for dairy sector.
"Deb's advice is a practical one, as Tripuraimports milk worth crores of rupees every year. People in Tripurado not have many employment opportunities. If the educated youths of Gujaratand Punjabcan take up cow-rearing in a commercial way, what is the harm if youths of Tripurado the same?" Sodhitold Ptitoday.
"In Gujaratalone, there are around 8,000 commercial dairy farms run by educated youths. There are many state and central schemes to help you in setting up dairy business. Cow rearing is the best option to solve the problem of unemployment in rural areas," Sodhisaid.
Earlier yesterday, he had tweeted also to support Deb's remarks.
"It is a very practical and logical idea as Tripurais importing crores of rupees worth milk from other states including Gujarat A youth can earn Rs 6-7 lakh per annum by rearing 10 cows or buff by taking loan from banks... in Gujarat(there are) more than 8000 such farms," Sodhitweeted in response to some critical tweets targeted at Deb
To make his point, Sodhialso tweeted a photo of a Woman Farmerreceiving an award from GujaratChief Minister Vijay Rupaniand Chairmanof Banas DairyShankar Chaudhary at a function here for depositing milk worth lakhs of rupees.
"Cow breeding can be a very remunerative business. Today, Kanuben Patel of Banaskantha district of Gujaratwas awarded Pride of Gujaratby CM Gujaratand Shri Shankarbhai Chaudhary, ChairmanBanas Dairyfor pouring milk worth Rs 84 lacs in a year. Good source of livelihood," Sodhisaid in his tweet.
He also cautioned that if educated youths do not come into the dairy sector, Indiamay have to import milk like the Crude Oil
Asked about his tweets, Sodhisaid, "I responded on Twitteras people were making fun of dairy sector, as if it is meant for only uneducated persons. They do not understand that it's a very remunerative business and many educated youths are earning good income out of it. This is certainly a better option than to do a mundane job."
He added that the entire dairy product business in Indiastands at Rs 6 lakh crore and is growing at a healthy rate of 10-12 per cent per annum, which makes it a good business.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)