LUCKNOW, Nov. 21 -- Uttar Pradesh is preparing a push to formalise its goat milk sector by developing dedicated goat-rearing clusters and modern milk-processing units under a public-private partnership (PPP) model. The plan aims to tap into the state's 144.80 lakh goat population and shift the largely unorganised goat-milk economy into a structured, market-linked system, an animal husbandry and fisheries department official said. Officials said goat farmers could earn around Rs 90 to 100 per litre, nearly twice the returns they receive from cow milk in several regions. "The cluster approach is expected to strengthen rural economies, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions where goats are more resilient than cattle." Despite being the third-largest goat-rearing state after Rajasthan and West Bengal, UP has until now operated without a coordinated framework to scale goat-milk production or develop value-added products. Officials said the new approach will help strengthen dairy diversification efforts and place the state on the map of India's emerging goat-milk industry. Principal secretary, animal husbandry & fisheries department, Mukesh Meshram, said goat milk is easier to digest, suitable for people with lactose intolerance and rich in nutrients, while demand is rising for niche products such as cheese and skincare formulations.htc...