Dehradun: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Thursday interacted with livestock farmers, dairy producers, and fish farmers from across the state at Niranjanpur, Dehradun. On the occasion, the Chief Minister also flagged off a refrigerated fisheries van to promote fish farming.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that animal husbandry is a major pillar of the rural economy and livelihood. He stated that the dream of a self-reliant India can only be realized when villages, farmers, and livestock owners become economically strong. He mentioned that the central government is implementing schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana, National Livestock Mission, National Gokul Mission, and Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund.
The Chief Minister said that under the Mukhyamantri State Livestock Mission, the state government is establishing livestock units in which eligible beneficiaries are being provided up to 90 percent loan subsidy. Schemes such as Goat Valley and Poultry Valley are also benefiting livestock owners. He said that over the last four years, more than 11,000 people have gained self-employment through cow rearing, goat farming, and sheep farming.
The Chief Minister said that mobile veterinary units are operating in 60 development blocks across the state. In addition, model veterinary hospitals are being developed in every district. Livestock owners in border areas are also being provided market access through the ITBP under the Vibrant Village Scheme.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami stated that the central government has selected Uttarakhand to become a Foot-and-Mouth Disease-Free state by the year 2030. This will help reduce economic losses faced by livestock owners. He added that milk production in the state has recorded an annual growth of around 10 percent over the last four years. Last year, dairy producers received nearly ₹380 crore through cooperative societies.
The Chief Minister said that Uttarakhand’s famous Badri cow’s Badri ghee has received the country’s first GI tag in its category, strengthening its recognition at national and international levels.
He further said that trout farming has emerged as a major source of self-employment in the state. To promote trout farming, a ₹170 crore Trout Promotion Scheme has been launched. Trout hatcheries are being established in Uttarkashi, Pithoragarh, and Bageshwar. The government is also working towards developing Uttarakhand as a high-value fish production and export hub.
During the interaction program, livestock farmer Harikishan Lakheda from Haridwar said that under the Breed Multiplication Farm Scheme, he purchased 50 cows and is now producing 300 liters of milk daily, earning a net monthly income of around ₹1.15 lakh. Similarly, Amit Singh from Doiwala said that he formed an FPO for animal fodder, which now includes 386 members and has achieved business worth over ₹10 crore in three years.
On this occasion, Cabinet Minister Saurabh Bahuguna said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, several innovations have taken place in the fields of animal husbandry, dairy, and fisheries over the past four years, and many schemes are economically strengthening people.
