ANIMAL HUSBANDRY, DAIRYING AND FISHERIES MINISTERS OF NORTHEASTERN STATES MEET IN GANGTOK

Chamling seeks Central assistance to resuscitate indigenous livestock breeds
GANGTOK, 29 Nov: “Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries sectors are being developed on priority basis to further uplift rural folk engaged in livestock rearing and processing of animal products,” said Chief Minister Pawan Chamling while addressing the inaugural session of Northeastern States Conference of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries Ministers of North Eastern States today here at Gangtok.
He said that the state has always sought to utilize these sectors as a tool for socio-economic development of the rural population, enable growth in rural household incomes, increase rural employment opportunities and enhance the quality of life of the people.
“Today’s conference in the presence of the Governor and Union Minister gains special significance as Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries sector will receive special focus and the problems faced by our North Eastern communities shall be put under close scrutiny for remedial measures”, said the CM.
“The state government has worked on genetic up-gradation of the indigenous livestock through breeding, induction of high yielding breeds and introduction of better genetic pool in order to increase production. In 2009-2010, the state government launched the Poultry Mission and Dairy Mission to increase production and the strategies involved induction of high yielding cows and creating broiler farms to undertake backyard poultry development programme”, said MrChamling.
“We are self-sufficient in broiler and milk production. The State Government is grateful to the Government of India for enabling us to achieve this target,” he expressed further adding that intensive capacity building programs are also being undertaken to make the livelihood options more viable and sustainable.
Together with agriculture, horticulture and floriculture, the stategovernment is promoting activities under animal husbandry on commercial scale with required provision and infrastructure for export of surplus products, he highlighted.
The Chief Minister also urged for immediate remedial measures and support which includes establishment of All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Goat, Poultry, Sheep, Yak and other species. “This would provide ample opportunity to the state scientists to carry out valuable ‘lab to land’programme benefitting public at large and providing employment opportunities to the people of our state”, he said.
Mr. Chamling has also urged the Ministry to initiate exclusive conservation and propagation measures for the indigenous breed of Siri cattle and local goat Singharay which are on the verge of extinction.