Policy for Small Animal Development in State on Cards

BHUBANESWAR: In a bid to provide rural livelihood sector a boost, the State Government will soon come out with a comprehensive small animal development policy, Fisheries and Animal resources Development (FARD) Secretary Bishnupada Sethi said here on Friday.

Inaugurating a day-long seminar on Public-Private-Producer-Partnership for small ruminant development in Odisha, Sethi said consultations with experts, policy analysts and the cross-section of stakeholders including farmers are on to finalise the Odisha Small Animal Development Policy.

The small animal sector has immense potential and contributes to the sustenance of small and marginal farmers and landless rural populace of Odisha. The FARD Department is taking all possible steps for providing regular vaccination against different contagious diseases and routine deworming in sheep and goat, he said.

The seminar was organised by International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) as part of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation funded International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) project with the objective of developing a common understanding about the possibility of goat production and value chain activities as business and collectively develop strategies to address constraints and tap into existing opportunities.

Various studies reveal that goat sub-sector has a great potential to contribute to poverty alleviation and offers opportunities where private sector, public sector and producers partnership can effect large scale productivity improvement.

The seminar brought leading officials, policy makers, international and non-Governmental organisations, private-sector constitutes, donor and development agencies together on a common platform for discussion.