Animal Resource and Development Minister Bhagaban Das on Friday said that his department has been contemplating introducing village wise targets for animal protein production which will help the villagers get wholesale orders and medical help at the doorstep. The minister said, already works have been started in four villages located in different parts of the state on an experimental basis. Through this program emphasis is being laid on meat, eggs and milk.
In an exclusive interview with Tripuranet, the minister said, “We have taken a series of initiatives to make sure that production of animal protein in the form of milk, eggs and meat products can be increased in the targeted villages and accordingly that villages could be linked with markets. Recently, we have distributed around 50 cows of advanced breed among the beneficiaries of North Tripura and Unakoti district. As many as 80 more cows are in transit that will be reaching the state very shortly.”
According to Das, this time the process of beneficiary selections has been rationalized in a commercial production friendly way.
“The process of beneficiary selection was faulty and had its own limitations. For instance, if 50 cows of advanced breeds were to be distributed, according to the old method beneficiaries were selected from 10 villages located far away from each which made it hard for the department to look after the animals and extend necessary help when required”, said the minister.
Now, he said, the department is working to form clusters of farmers in targeted villages.
“As per our new initiative, the animals are being distributed among beneficiaries in particular villages. For instance, if ducks are being distributed, we are doing it in one village so that wholesalers can get bulk production in one place. Few days back, we distributed 100 ducks to the beneficiaries of one village. So if someone requires eggs in larger quantities, he will definitely visit that village. We are trying to ensure that each village produces one product in larger quantities that will give the villagers an exposure to the wider market”, Das added.
Moreover, this will also help the ARD department in extending necessary medical help to the animals. “We are going to start veterinary service on wheels. Under this programme, 12 new vans equipped with state of the art technology have been decided to be procured. Each of the vans will ferry a doctor and his helper to the villages periodically to provide health check ups to the animals. Supervisors will also be engaged in the job to take regular note of the animal health in the beneficiary households”, said Das.
