Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has launched a controlled cattle breeding programme of indigenous non-descript breeds here aimed at boosting the dairy sector.
The small holding dairy farmers in the State will be benefitted by increasing productivity of their animals and enhancing their income, the Chief Minister said at the function where new livestock Inspectors (lIs) were handed over their appointment letters.
Minister Agriculture and ARD Pradeep Maharathy, Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi, Secretary FARD Bishnupada Sethi and others graced the occasion. The Department of Fisheries and Animal Resources has initiated several steps for control and containment of diseases in livestock and all the cattle and buffalo will be covered under preventive vaccination against foot and mouth disease in a campaign mode, he said.
Financial support will also be provided to the registered private Gosalas to ensure proper food and shelter for the stray cattle, he said.
The State Government will provide subsidy for construction of Chicken-Fresh outlets by private entrepreneurs in the State, the Chief Minister said.
Patnaik said on the occasion that the Kendrapada sheep has been recognized by the National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Karnal as the second breed in India and sixth in the world to be carrying FecB mutation gene responsible for multiple births - twins and triplets.
Further, physical characterisations of two goat breeds namely, Ghumusur and Raighar, have been done, he told the gathering.
The Government has also started an anthrax control programme, the Chief Minister added.
He expressed the hope that preventive vaccination in animals against anthrax in 19 endemic districts along with Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities will help to control the disease.
Informing that animal disease diagnostic facilities have been strengthened in the State and microscopic examination facility available at the livestock aid centers, he said necessary skill upgradation training is being imparted to lIs to examine the samples at their level.
Besides, one Disease Diagnostic laboratory has also been established in each district with required facilities, the Chief Minister added.
“The milk production has gone up from 8.75 lakh tons in the year 2000 to 9.38 lakh tons in 2015,” he said and added, “This could be possible due to genetic upgradation programme taken up in the State.
Every year more than one lakh cross-bred cows are added to the cattle population for creating income generation opportunities, Patnaik added.
He said the DoFARD has appointed 202 livestock Inspectors in two phases who are now being trained. The Chief Minister announced the recruitment of 174 lIs in the third phase and handed over their appointment letters at the function.