Guwahati, Sept 22: Assam Governor Gulab Chand Kataria has asked the animal husbandry and veterinary department to strengthen the network of milk collection centres to empower dairy farmers and enable them to get the maximum value for their milk.
Reviewing the activities of the department in the presence of Assam animal husbandry and veterinary minister Atul Bora at Raj Bhavan here on Friday, Kataria said that more cooperative societies should be set up and strengthened to strengthen the dairy sector.
He also urged the department to lay emphasis on expediting its efforts of reaching out to the farmers.
The Governor further said that the Prime Minister’s dream of doubling farmers’ income could be achieved if the farmers get engaged in cattle rearing, poultry and dairy production along with their agricultural practices.
During the stock-taking meeting, a detailed presentation on the activities of the department was made by principal secretary of the department Manish Thakur.
The presentation highlighted the livestock population of the state, steps taken towards departmental reforms and strengthening of the service delivery system through infrastructure, logistics, manpower and medicine. He also highlighted the status and achievements of the centrally and state sponsored schemes.
Kataria also reviewed the activities of other departments such as fisheries and panchayat and rural development.
Underlining the importance of the fisheries department in triggering economic growth, he said adequate emphasis should be put on the development of the fishery sector of the state.
“The sector also has the potential for creating entrepreneurial ventures and self employment avenues,” the Governor said while taking stock of different schemes.
