Union Minister Launches Key Initiatives at Monsoon Meet 2024 for Animal Husbandry and Dairy Growth

On September 13, 2024, the Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and Panchayati Raj, Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh chaired the Monsoon Meet 2024 in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The meeting brought together Ministers of Animal Husbandry and Dairying from 17 states to discuss important issues in the livestock sector. The goal was to create a better system for implementing animal husbandry programs across India. Chief Minister of Odisha, Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, was the Chief Guest, and the event was also attended by Prof. S. P. Singh Bhagel and Shri George Kurian, Ministers of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying.

Highlights of the Monsoon Meet

The Monsoon Meet focused on improving farmer welfare, promoting sustainable livestock practices, and finding ways to grow the dairy and livestock industry. Officials from 32 states and union territories, including Principal Secretaries, Directors, and Chairpersons of Milk Unions, attended the event.

Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh launched several new programs during the event, which are part of the government’s 100-day action plan for the livestock and dairy sector. These programs aim to boost livestock health, increase milk production, and provide better services to farmers.

Key Programs Launched:

1. National Milk Recording Programme (NMRP):
   This program will track the performance of more animals across the country, focusing on improving the quality of Indian cattle and buffalo breeds.
2. A-HELP Program for Odisha:
   This initiative will help train community-based livestock workers called Pashusakhis. They will provide animal healthcare services directly to farmers in rural areas, ensuring better livestock welfare.
3. Nationwide KCC Campaign (2024-2025):
   A new campaign starting from September 15, 2024, to March 31, 2025, will provide Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) to all eligible Animal Husbandry and Fishery farmers. This will help farmers access easy loans for their business.
4. Web Application for National Monitors:
   A new app has been launched to track the progress of various government programs in the animal husbandry and dairy sectors. This will ensure better field-level implementation.
5. Central Poultry Development Organization:
   A new unit of the Central Poultry Development Organization was inaugurated at Talagarh, Naraj, Cuttack to promote poultry farming in the region.
6. Indigenous IVF Media for Cattle Breeding:
   For the first time, bovine IVF technology has been introduced under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission. This technology will help reduce the cost of embryo production for cattle and buffalo breeding.
7. Skill Development Framework for Poultry:
   A new action plan has been created to tackle poultry diseases and ensure better skills for poultry farmers.
8. “Omfed Gold Plus” Milk Variant:
   A new, high-quality variant of milk called “Omfed Gold Plus” was launched during the event, aimed at enhancing the dairy sector in Odisha.
9. Coffee Table Book – Farming Futures:
   A book celebrating 101 success stories of women in the livestock sector was also released.

Focus on Livestock Health and Growth

During his speech, Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh emphasized the government’s dedication to improving the animal husbandry sector. He highlighted the importance of livestock for ensuring food security, maintaining soil fertility, and promoting ecological balance. He also encouraged ministers from all states to discuss any challenges they face in their respective regions.

The Chief Minister of Odisha, Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, delivered the keynote address, where he spoke about the importance of animal husbandry for employment and biodiversity. He thanked the Union Minister for hosting the Monsoon Meet in Odisha and said that the event will help improve livestock health and boost farmer livelihoods.

Conclusion of the Event

The Monsoon Meet 2024 provided a platform for state ministers to exchange ideas and share their progress in the livestock sector. The event ended with closing remarks by Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh, who thanked the Chief Minister of Odisha for hosting the event and stressed the need for continued cooperation between states to address challenges in the sector.