Patna, July 11: The state government is contemplating to provide a 50 per cent subsidy on the purchase of cattle to boost milk production in the state.

Animal and fish resources minister Giriraj Singh today made the announcement while distributing crystoscopes to artificial insemination centres run by Bihar State Milk Co-operative Federation Limited (Comfed) and milk unions in the state.

A total of 1,500 crystoscopes were distributed among nine district milk unions.

The crystoscope has been developed by Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izzatngar, Bareily in Uttar Pradesh. It is an equipment that detects the exact timing of artificial insemination.

“At present, the subsidy provided in cattle financing ranges between 15 and 25 per cent. However, we are planning to raise it to 50 per cent in the coming days. Such initiatives are taken to increase the annual milk collection and processing of 11 lakh litres to 19 lakh litres. The crystoscope will also increase the conception rate among cattle by 20 per cent. Each milk producing society will receive Rs 20,000 for development of vermin composting facilities,” said Singh.

“Although farmers are increasingly taking up artificial insemination as a means to improve milk yield, limiting factors prevent full potential of artificial insemination,” said Sudhir Kumar, the principal secretary of animal and fish resources department.