The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, organized a “Virtual Awareness Program for Enhancing Livestock Productivity” today.   1 Lakh + livestock farmers, from 2000 Common Service Centers (CSCs) across India namely from states/UTs :  Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Orissa, Kerala, Andaman & Nicobar Island, Lakshadweep, Delhi and Chandigarh joined this session. The meeting was chaired by Union Minister of State, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Ministry of Panchayati Raj Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel from New Delhi. Ms.Varsha Joshi, Additional Secretary (DAHD), Shri. Rama Shankar Sinha, Additional Secretary (DAHD) along with the other senior officials of  the department were also present on this occasion. 

 

In his address, Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel, highlighted the invaluable contributions of the livestock farmers in boosting the national economy. He stated that milk production in the country has grown at the  rate of 5.7 %  per annum, during the past 10 years while the world milk production growth rate is only 2% per annum.  Prof. Baghel commended the livestock farmers for this achievement. He also appreciated the departmental initiatives like the vaccination programs, use of Sex-Sorted Semen (SSS) etc  that has helped in increasing animal productivity in the country. He interacted with the farmers and enquired about the on  ground availability of  veterinary services like utilization of toll-free number 1962 for treatment related assistance. The Union Minister of State laid emphasis on the need to opt  for  animal insurance and  stressed on  the importance of getting the animals  vaccinated as per schedule .

The program was aimed at creating awareness among farmers on critical aspects of animal husbandry, including breed improvement, zoonotic disease control, biosecurity, and entrepreneurship development through departmental schemes. It featured awareness videos and expert sessions on various topics to enhance livestock productivity. The session also served as a platform for knowledge exchange, policy awareness, and entrepreneurial inspiration, reinforcing the role of livestock farmers as key contributors to rural development and economic growth.

  

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Aditi Agrawal

(Release ID: 2158636)