SHILLONG, Jan 23: Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh on Thursday called for cooperation from the state governments of the Northeastern states after highlighting the region’s 27% growth in the dairy sector, which, he noted, lags behind the national average.
Speaking at a two-day Livestock Conclave themed ‘Holistic Development of Livestock Sector in North East India,’ Singh emphasized the need for a concerted push to close this gap.
According to Singh, there are 2,500 cooperative societies in the region’s dairy sector, collectively sourcing an average of 1.5 tonne of milk daily from 90,000 farmers. “Despite over 1.5 million people being directly involved and 3 million indirectly connected to the dairy sector in the Northeast, growth remains below expectations,” Singh, also known as “Lallan Singh,” stated.
He pointed out the challenge of increasing production to match the national average and stressed the importance of addressing underlying issues through data-driven approaches.
The Union minister expressed confidence that the Northeast can achieve self-sufficiency in animal husbandry, dairy, poultry, and piggery sectors if the national average is attained. The conclave, he said, provides an opportunity for representatives from various state governments to coordinate and develop these sectors collaboratively. “There is immense potential for growth and development,” Singh noted, adding the need for self-sufficiency in egg production.
Piggery sector
Singh also highlighted the piggery sector’s contribution to the regional economy, noting that the North East houses 42.4 lakh pigs (46.42% of India’s total population), valued at approximately Rs 5,000 crore.
He encouraged a cluster-based approach and public-private partnerships (PPPs) to transform the sector into an export hub. Similarly, he emphasized opportunities in the poultry sector, focusing on bridging demand-supply gaps and attracting private sector investments through PPPs, organised markets, and cluster-based strategies.
The minister further discussed the NLM Entrepreneurship Development Programme, under which 245 projects have been approved in the Northeast — 184 for piggery farming, 45 for goat farming, and 16 for poultry farming.
Regarding vaccinations, Singh informed the conclave that Round IV of the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccination, covering 74.95 lakh bovines with 86% coverage, has been completed. Additionally, Round I of the Classical Swine Fever (CSF) vaccination has commenced in Mizoram, with 18.10 lakh doses administered across the region. Under the Mobile Veterinary Unit (MVU) scheme, 295 units are operational, providing quality doorstep veterinary care.
Union Minister of State George Kurian from the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, along with ministers from various North Eastern states, also attended the conclave.
Representing Meghalaya, Minister in charge of Community and Rural Development AT Mondal participated in person, while the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Minister AL Hek joined virtually.
Projects for Meghalaya
For Meghalaya, Singh inaugurated the Intensive Cattle Development Project in Khliehtyrshi with an investment of Rs 31.86 lakh and the Multiplier Pig Farm in Kyrdemkulai, Ri-Bhoi, at a cost of Rs 10.23 crore. A Khasi-language promotional song, ‘Ka Kam Ri Syiar, Kyntiew Ka Ioh Ka Kot’ (Poultry Farming Promotes Prosperity), was also launched, along with the release of the Meghalaya Animal Administrative Report 2023–2024.
ingh also shared updates on the National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD) and infrastructure support, adding that 29 projects worth Rs 240 crore have been approved, covering 53 of the 131 districts in the region. An additional Rs 250 crore investment is planned to expand dairy infrastructure, increase milk procurement capacity from 1.5 lakh liter/day to 3.5 lakh liter/day, and onboard 70,000 new farmers into cooperative networks.
The Union minister emphasised the need for strengthened collaboration between private industry and government to address challenges in the livestock and poultry sectors. He highlighted proposed investments of Rs 700 crore by various private-sector entities, including the IB Group, which intends to invest Rs 200 crore in the poultry and feed sector.
The conclave brought together policymakers, scientists, and industry leaders, laying the groundwork for transformative growth in the livestock sector across the Northeast region.