Shillong, Jan 23: Meghalaya was sanctioned two projects at the two-day conclave on Dialogue for Holistic Development of Livestock Sectors in the North-East Region” held in Shillong today.

Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying & Panchayati Raj, Rajiv Ranjan Singh inaugurated the Intensive Cattle Development Project in Khliehtyrshi, Meghalaya, with an investment of ₹31.86 lakhs, and the Multiplier Pig Farm in Kyrdemkulai, Ri Bhoi District, at a cost of ₹10.23 crore.

Additionally, a “Poultry Song” in the Khasi language, titled “Ka Kam Ri Syiar, Kyntiew Ka Ioh Ka Kot,” was launched to promote poultry farming in the region, along with the release of the Meghalaya Animal Administrative Report 2023-2024.

Speaking on the current challenges faced by the livestock and poultry sector in NER, which needs to be strengthened, the private industry has to be looped in for creating suitable infrastructure, and technological interventions with support from both central and state governments. In the conclave, an intent of a total ₹700 crore was proposed from various private sectors like IB group which intends to invest approximately ₹200 crores in NER for the poultry and feed sector.

Also, the Karnataka Poultry Federation has shown the intent to invest ₹250 crore in the NER to promote sustainable growth in the Poultry sector. National Egg Coordination Committee (NECC) indicated that they shall distribute Egg Carts to generate employment, and capacity building and promote egg consumption in the states.

The programme was also graced by Minister of State, George Kurian, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, in the presence of Ministers of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services from North Eastern Region (NER) states, senior officials, industry representatives, entrepreneurs, and researchers and stakeholders.

The minister launched and inaugurated several significant projects during the conclave.

Singh also highlighted that the NDDB would initiate a Baseline Village Survey to facilitate the formation of multipurpose dairy cooperative societies in Arunachal Pradesh, focusing on the Namsai, Lohit, and Lower Dibang Valley districts. Furthermore, it was announced that NDDB would work alongside Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Tripura, among other states, to enhance the establishment of dairy cooperatives.

For the state of Meghalaya, he inaugurated the Intensive Cattle Development Project in Khliehtyrshi, Meghalaya, with an investment of ₹31.86 lakhs, and the Multiplier Pig Farm in Kyrdemkulai, Ri Bhoi District, at a cost of ₹10.23 crore. Additionally, a “Poultry Song” in the Khasi language, titled “Ka Kam Ri Syiar, Kyntiew Ka Ioh Ka Kot,” was launched to promote poultry farming in the region, along with the release of the Meghalaya Animal Administrative Report 2023-2024.

A T Mondal, Minister of Community & Rural Development, Power & Taxation, Government of Meghalaya represented the Chief Minister of Meghalaya, and it was said that the state of Meghalaya has a typical geographical and climatic condition, however, there is a tremendous potential for development of livestock. He said that livestock farming has become a primary profession these days and informed that the state has developed a ten-year roadmap for the development of livestock of the state.

Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh informed that under the National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD) and Infrastructure Support, 29 projects have been approved with a total investment of ₹240 crore which covers about 53 districts out of a total 131 districts in NER. He was apprised of the proposed investments in NER. The Department plans to financially aid a sum ₹250 crores to expand dairy infrastructure, increase milk procurement capacity from 1.5 lakh litres/day to 3.5 lakh litres/day, and onboard 70,000 new farmers into the cooperative network.

The Minister emphasised the piggery sector in NER and stated that the 42.4 lakh pig population (46.42% of India’s total), valued at approximately ₹5,000 crore was highlighted as a major contributor to the regional economy. He encouraged a cluster-based approach and public-private partnerships (PPPs) to develop the sector into an export hub.

Also Read: Meghalaya launches QR code-enabled textbooks to bridge urban-rural divide

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