By TC News Desk
Agartala, 29th November 2024: Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha announced significant developments in the animal husbandry sector in Tripura on Friday, highlighting the government’s efforts to attract youths and women to cattle rearing, poultry hatchery, and duckery.
Speaking at the launch of the second phase of the “Mukhya Mantri Pashu Palak Samman Nidhi” at Pragna Bhavan, Dr. Saha detailed various initiatives aimed at enhancing the sector.
Dr. Saha revealed that the government is providing assistance of Rs 6,000 per beneficiary through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), supporting 3,006 farmers to date. “The Mukhya Mantri Pashu Sampad Yojana, launched in 2024 with a budget allocation of Rs 117 crore under the National Livestock Mission, focuses on the overall development of the animal husbandry sector. The scheme aims to support 5,000 livestock farmers between 2024-25, implementing 24,880 small poultry units and 10,817 duckery units,” he said.
The Chief Minister also introduced the Calf Growth Meal (CGM) Scheme, aimed at improving nutrition for calves aged 12 months or less. “The scheme benefits 500 female calves and 300 bull calves. Additionally, economic support for livestock-dependent poor families facing unavoidable losses includes financial assistance of up to Rs 20,000 per family,” Dr. Saha added.
Highlighting the state’s initiatives in Animal Resources Development, Dr. Saha mentioned the increase in per capita production and enhanced productivity in livestock through focused programs in healthcare, vaccination, disease prevention, and awareness creation. “Our infrastructure includes 16 veterinary hospitals, 65 dispensaries, and 434 veterinary sub-centers. By 2024-25, we aim to achieve 100% livestock vaccination coverage and adopt modern technologies like Molecular & ELISA diagnostics to counter zoonotic diseases and improve animal healthcare,” he stated.
The achievements in the sector include 2,47,310 MTs of milk production, 59,700 MTs of meat production, and an annual egg production of 35.96 crore eggs. “These figures reflect our commitment to developing the animal husbandry sector,” Dr. Saha told the gathering.
Speaking at the distribution program, ARD Minister Sudhangshu Das emphasized the government’s support for livestock farmers. “Compensation for livestock loss has been added, with a maximum amount of Rs 20,000 for accidental loss. In the recent floods, we estimated a loss of more than 18,000 livestock, and Rs 5 crore has been sanctioned for providing free medicines, vaccinations, medical camps, and feeds,” he said. Minister Das also mentioned that farmers would receive Rs 6,000 to Rs 6,500 for improving nutrition for calves under the CGM scheme.
Minister Das announced plans to introduce a new scheme for empowering women by rearing chickens and ducks, targeting 50,000 women across the state. “We also have an NLM scheme where entrepreneurs can receive a 50 percent subsidy for pig and cattle farms by filling up a form,” he added.
In the event, ARD Department’s Secretary Deepa D Nair gave the welcome address, AMC Mayor Dipak Majumder, Deputy Mayor Manika Das Datta and Director Dr. Bimal Kanti Das were also present.
