Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami Interacts with Livestock Farmers, Dairy Producers and Fish Farmers, Flags Off Refrigerated Fisheries Van
Government committed to increasing the income of livestock farmers: CM Dhami
Dehradun: Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday interacted with livestock farmers, dairy producers and fish farmers from across the state at Niranjanpur in Dehradun. On the occasion, the Chief Minister also flagged off a refrigerated fisheries van to promote fish farming activities and improve cold-chain transportation facilities for fish producers.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that animal husbandry has always been an integral part of rural life and remains a major source of livelihood for lakhs of families. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has emphasized that the vision of an “Atmanirbhar Bharat” can only be achieved when villages, farmers and livestock rearers become economically strong. Keeping this vision in mind, the Central Government is implementing several welfare schemes including the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, National Livestock Mission, Rashtriya Gokul Mission, Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund and Kisan Credit Card scheme.
The Chief Minister said that under the “Mukhyamantri Rajya Pashudhan Mission”, livestock units are being established across the state and eligible beneficiaries are being provided loan subsidies of up to 90 percent. In addition, schemes such as Goat Valley and Poultry Valley are also helping livestock farmers strengthen their livelihoods.
He informed that during the last four years, more than 11,500 people in the state have received self-employment opportunities through cow rearing, goat farming and sheep farming. Under the Chief Minister State Livestock Mission, over 4,000 youth and women have also been linked with self-employment initiatives.
To strengthen animal healthcare services, mobile veterinary units are being operated in 60 development blocks across the state, while model veterinary hospitals are being developed in every district. Under the Vibrant Village Programme, livestock farmers in border areas are being directly connected to markets through the ITBP, enabling them to secure better prices for their products.
Chief Minister Dhami further stated that the Central Government has selected Uttarakhand to become a Foot-and-Mouth Disease-free state by 2030. This initiative is expected to significantly reduce economic losses faced by livestock farmers and improve livestock productivity.
Highlighting achievements in the dairy sector, he said milk production in Uttarakhand has recorded an annual growth of nearly 10 percent over the last four years. Last year alone, dairy producers received payments worth approximately Rs 380 crore through cooperative societies. He also noted that “Badri Ghee”, produced from the indigenous Badri cow breed of Uttarakhand, became the first GI-tagged ghee in the country, giving it national and global recognition for its quality and uniqueness.
The Chief Minister said trout farming has emerged as a major source of self-employment in the hill state. To promote trout farming, the government launched a Rs 170 crore Trout Promotion Scheme during the previous financial year. Trout hatcheries are also being established in Uttarkashi, Pithoragarh and Bageshwar districts. He added that the government is working towards developing Uttarakhand as a high-value fish production and export hub. Due to these efforts, the fisheries sector in the state is growing at a rate of over 9 percent annually. Last year, the Government of India also honored Uttarakhand as the “Best Fisheries State” among Himalayan states.
During the interaction programme, several beneficiaries shared their success stories. Haridwar-based livestock farmer Harikishan Lakheda said that under the Breed Multiplication Farm Scheme, he purchased 50 cows and is now producing nearly 300 litres of milk daily from Sahiwal breed cows. Eight people are currently employed in his venture, and he earns a net monthly income of around Rs 1.15 lakh.
Similarly, Amit Singh from Doiwala shared that he established an FPO for cattle fodder, which now has 386 members. Over the last three years, the organization has achieved a turnover of more than Rs 10 crore.
Cabinet Minister Saurabh Bahuguna said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Dhami, several innovative initiatives have been introduced in the fields of animal husbandry, dairy and fisheries over the past four years. He added that under the Goat Valley Project, 5,827 beneficiaries have been connected and various subsidy schemes are benefiting farmers across the state.
Several dignitaries, including Chairman of Gau Seva Aayog Rajendra Prasad Anthwal, Vice Chairman of Uttarakhand Animal Welfare Board Surendra Mogha, Vice Chairman of Uttarakhand Fisheries Development Agency Uttam Dutta, Seema Chauhan and Additional Secretary Santosh Badoni, were also present on the occasion.
