Monsoon Meet to Boost Animal Husbandry and Dairy Sector: Key Announcements Expected

Bhubaneswar: The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, is set to host the Monsoon Meet on September 13, 2024, at the Convention Center, Lok Seva Bhavan in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The event will be chaired by Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, who oversees the ministries of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, and Panchayati Raj.

Minister of State in the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and Panchayati Raj, Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel, and Minister of State in the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying and Minority Affairs, George Kurian, are also expected to attend. The inaugural session will feature Mohan Charan Majhi, the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Odisha, as the Chief Guest, and Pravati Parida, the Deputy Chief Minister of Odisha, as the Special Guest.

The Monsoon Meet aims to establish a convergence framework for effective program implementation, review progress on various schemes, and discuss outcomes and necessary adjustments. It will bring together Animal Husbandry Ministers from states and union territories, along with concerned officials, to address challenges and share best practices.

The livestock sector has demonstrated impressive growth from 2014-15 to 2022-23, achieving a compound annual growth rate of 9.82%. Its contribution to the Gross Value Added (GVA) in agriculture and allied sectors has risen from 24.36% to 30.22%, reflecting its growing importance in the economy. The sector’s contribution to the total GVA reached 5.5% in 2022-23.

Milk production in India has seen a remarkable increase of 57.62% over the past nine years, growing from 146.3 million tonnes in 2014-15 to 230.60 million metric tonnes in 2022-23. This growth rate, averaging 5.9% annually, significantly surpasses the global average of 2%. Additionally, per capita milk availability has risen from 307 grams per day in 2013-14 to 459 grams per day in 2022-23, exceeding the world average of 325 grams. These achievements highlight the livestock sector’s transition into a “sunrise sector.”

The Monsoon Meet will address various implementation challenges and facilitate meaningful discussions among states. It will feature an interactive session where Union Cabinet Minister (FAHD) will engage with Animal Husbandry Ministers from states and union territories, offering a platform to showcase successful initiatives and learn from each other.

Several major announcements and the launch of activities related to the “100 Days Action Plan” of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying are also anticipated during the meet. This action plan aims to enhance the sector’s performance and address emerging needs.