In a press conference held at the civil secretariat on Tuesday, State Animal Resource Development Department (ARDD) Minister Sudhangshu Das highlighted the department’s efforts to implement various developmental programs that aim to improve the livelihoods of farmers across the state.
Das shed light on the Mukhyamantri Swanirbhar Parivar Yojana, which has provided assistance to a total of 30,526 families involved in animal rearing during the 2021-2022 financial year. Among the assisted families, 5,487 were engaged in pig rearing, 2,743 in goat rearing, and others in various animal rearing activities. The project has received a funding of Rs 10.55 crore during the mentioned financial year.
Continuing their commitment to supporting animal rearing, the ARDD has assisted a total of 35,044 families under the Mukhyamantri Swanirbhar Parivar Yojana during the 2022-2023 financial year.
Looking ahead to the 2023-2024 financial year, Minister Sudhangshu Das announced their target of assisting 52,060 families in animal rearing activities, further emphasizing the department’s dedication to the development of animal husbandry in the state.
Minister Das also discussed the success of the Mukhyamantri Unnat Godhan Prakalp, noting that 75 percent of Tripura’s population is involved in animal husbandry. He highlighted the significant demand for female calves in the state due to their contributions to milk production, dung manure production, agriculture, and transportation. To meet this increased demand, the ARDD has implemented artificial insemination using frozen sexed semen, resulting in 90 percent female calves and 10 percent male calves being produced through this process.
Impressed by the successful results and the potential for self-sufficiency in milk and milk products, the state government has allocated a budget of Rs 15.72 crore for the further success of the project during the 2023-2024 financial year.
Das also shared details about the North-Eastern Council (NEC) funded project, which included the establishment of a small pig abattoir with an ICAR-NRCP designed deep freezer and a sales center (counter) at the mixed starter breeding farm in Nalichara, Dhalai district. The project incurred an expenditure of Rs. 14 lakhs for setting up the abattoir.
The press conference concluded with the presence of JS Mishra, Secretary of the Animal Resource Development Department, emphasizing the department’s commitment to the welfare and development of animal husbandry in the state.
