Fisheries And Animal Husbandry Sector Is the Growth Engine For Rural Development: Naveen

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has said that the fisheries and animal husbandry sector is the growth engine for grassroots level rural development in Odisha. Speaking at the Orientation program of the newly appointed Veterinary Doctors, Livestock Inspectors, Junior Fisheries Technical Assistants and Junior Engineers, the Chief Minister said that Odisha is an agrarian state and 70 percent of its rural population is engaged in some sort of farm activity. Many of them are able to augment their incomes through fisheries and animal husbandry. The state government is continuing its efforts to make their lives happier by raising their income levels. And for this, the government has identified fisheries and animal husbandry as the growth engine for the development of the farmers, women self help groups and entrepreneurs.

The Orientation Program was held at the Lok Seva Bhawan and the Jayadev Bhawan in which all the senior officers of the concerned department from the districts attended through virtual mode. The Government of Odisha has appointed 146 Veterinary Doctors, 588 Livestock Inspectors, 67 Junior Fisheries Technical Assistants and 3 Junior Engineers.

The Chief Minister also said that the fisheries and animal husbandry sector plays an important role in providing the necessary protein calories, nutrition and food security for the people of the rural areas. And hence, the officials of this department should understand the importance of their duty.

Emphasizing the 5T initiatives, the Chief Minister said maintaining transparency, working with team spirit, and using technical knowledge can bring in true transformation in the grassroots level and pave the way for the development of the animal husbandry sector. He also hoped that the newly appointed officers will work with transparency and dedication.

Interacting with the newly appointed officials, 5T Secretary VK Pandian said that as they have shown their talent by getting selected in a transparent manner, they should also maintain transparency and serve the people of the state. There has been tremendous growth in the livestock wealth of the state and the Animal Husbandry department has an important role in doubling the income of the farmers. The Chief Minister has brought the Veterinary Doctors from Group B to Group A. He also advised all the officers to follow 5T Initiatives and strive for threefold increase in the incomes of the farmers.