CM interacts with livestock and fishery farmers
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 7 May: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami interacted with livestock rearers, dairy producers and fish farmers from across the state at Niranjanpur here today. On this occasion, he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to enhance rural incomes through animal husbandry and fisheries. On this occasion he also flagged off a refrigerated fisheries van to promote fish farming and underlined that animal husbandry has long been the backbone of rural life, sustaining millions of families. He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasised that the dream of an Atmanirbhar Bharat can only be realised when villages, farmers and livestock rearers are economically empowered. In this direction, the Centre is implementing schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, National Livestock Mission, National Gokul Mission, Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund and the Kisan Credit Card. Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Minister Saurabh Bahuguna was also present on the occasion.
Dhami reminded that under the Mukhyamantri Rajya Pashudhan Mission, livestock units are being established with eligible beneficiaries receiving up to 90 per cent loan subsidy. Schemes like Goat Valley and Poultry Valley are also providing support to livestock rearers. In the past four years, more than 11,500 people have secured self-employment through cattle, goat and sheep rearing, while over 4,000 youth and women have been linked to self-employment under the mission. The CM also noted that to strengthen animal health services, mobile veterinary units are operating in 60 development blocks and model veterinary hospitals are being built in each district. Under the Vibrant Village scheme, livestock rearers in border areas are being connected directly to markets through the ITBP.
Dhami also reminded that the Centre has selected Uttarakhand to be made free of foot-and-mouth disease by 2030, which will reduce economic losses for livestock rearers. In the past four years, milk production in the state has grown by nearly 10 per cent annually, with cooperative societies paying producers about Rs 380 crores last year. He highlighted that the state’s indigenous Badri cow has earned the country’s first GI tag for Badri ghee, giving it a distinct identity at the national and global level.
Dhami reminded that trout farming has emerged as a major source of self-employment in the state. To encourage this, a Rs 170 crore trout promotion scheme was launched last financial year, with hatcheries being set up in Uttarkashi, Pithoragarh and Bageshwar. The government is working to develop Uttarakhand as a high-value fish production and export hub, with the fisheries sector growing at over 9 per cent annually. Last year, the Government of India recognised Uttarakhand as the best fisheries state among Himalayan states.
During the interaction, Haridwar livestock rearer Harikishan Lakhera shared that under the Breed Multiplication Farm scheme he purchased 50 cows and now produces 300 litres of milk daily from Sahiwal cows, earning a net monthly income of Rs 1.15 lakh with eight people engaged in the work. Amit Singh from Doiwala said he established an FPO for cattle fodder with 386 members, achieving a turnover of more than Rs 10 crores in three years.
Cabinet minister Saurabh Bahuguna said that under Dhami’s guidance, several innovations have taken place in animal husbandry, dairy and fisheries in the past four years. The Mukhyamantri Matsya Sampada Yojana has been implemented, 5,827 beneficiaries have joined the Goat Valley project, subsidies are being provided under various schemes and all milk unions are now profitable.
Among those present at the event were Gau Seva Aayog chairman Rajendra Prasad Anthwal, Uttarakhand Animal Welfare Board vice chairman Surendra Mogha, Uttarakhand Fisheries Development Agency vice chairman Uttam Dutta, Seema Chauhan and additional secretary Santosh Badoni.
