Shillong:Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, Rajiv Ranjan Singh, inaugurated the “Conclave on Dialogue for Holistic Development of Livestock Sectors in the North-East Region” in Shillong on Thursday. The event was attended by the Minister of State, George Kurian, Ministers of Animal Husbandry from North-East Region (NER) states, senior officials, industry representatives, entrepreneurs, and researchers.
Key projects were launched during the event, including 15 Entrepreneurship Development Projects (EDPs) under the National Livestock Mission (NLM) worth ₹10.93 crore, and four Fodder Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) facilitated by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB). A Regional Semen Production Laboratory and Goat Semen Bank were announced for Khanapara with an investment of ₹337.29 lakh. NDDB will also conduct a baseline village survey to establish multipurpose dairy cooperatives in Arunachal Pradesh. Additionally, NDDB will collaborate with Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Tripura to enhance dairy cooperatives.
In Meghalaya, an Intensive Cattle Development Project was inaugurated in Khliehtyrshi for ₹31.86 lakh, and a Multiplier Pig Farm in Kyrdemkulai, Ri Bhoi District, for ₹10.23 crore. A Poultry Song in Khasi, “Ka Kam Ri Syiar, Kyntiew Ka Ioh Ka Kot,” was launched to promote poultry farming, alongside the release of the Meghalaya Animal Administrative Report 2023-2024.
In Sikkim, a Development and Conservation Programme for Siri Cattle was launched with ₹215.6 lakh, and a Regional AI Training Centre was established in Gangtok under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) for ₹450 lakh. A pig AI Training Centre was inaugurated in Tripura with a budget of ₹84 lakh. Fifteen MAITRI workers in Gangtok were trained under RGM to provide quality breeding inputs to farmers.
The Minister highlighted ₹240 crore investments under the National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD) covering 53 districts in NER, with plans to expand infrastructure and onboard 70,000 farmers. Private sector investments of ₹700 crore, including ₹200 crore by IB Group and ₹250 crore by the Karnataka Poultry Federation, were announced. A focus on piggery development, valued at ₹5,000 crore, was emphasised, along with strategies to increase milk and egg production.
Technical sessions and dialogues addressed challenges in the livestock sector, fostering collaboration among stakeholders to advance the NER livestock industry in alignment with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.