Livestock and poultry sector contributes 5.30% to Assam GDP: Governor

Guwahati: Assam Governor Gulab Chand Kataria emphasized the pivotal role of agriculture and allied sectors in the state's economic landscape at the recently held Livestock and Poultry Show 2024 in Guwahati. According to the Governor, these sectors contribute a substantial 19.89 percent to the state's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Highlighting the emergence of numerous startups in Assam, Kataria expressed satisfaction that the state's residents are gradually becoming self-reliant. "Out of the total contribution to the state's GDP, the livestock and poultry sector alone accounts for 5.30 percent", Kataria stressed.

Kataria urged the stakeholders present at the event to capitalize on various government schemes aimed at fostering growth and boosting income within the livestock and poultry sector. He commended the ongoing efforts of the government in encouraging local farmers and youths to meet the increasing demand for milk, meat, and eggs within the state.

Emphasizing the potential for increased income among farmers through the adoption of modern technology in key sectors such as cattle rearing, poultry farming, and dairy production, he stressed the need for leveraging technology to enhance productivity and ensure sustainability.

Presently, Assam is leading in pig production and poultry farming, Governor Kataria stated. "In milk and egg production, the state is also gearing up to achieve more." He further said that under the Assam Dairy Development Scheme, the state is aiming to achieve a daily milk production target of 10 lakh litres.

Governor Kataria called for concerted efforts to organize the unorganized dairy sector, forming clusters to facilitate "sustainable marketing of milk" within the state. 

He also cited schemes such as Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM), National Livestock Mission (NLM), Livestock Health and Disease Control (LH and DC) program, and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) and encouraged farmers to leverage those for ensuring sustainable growth in agriculture and allied sectors, thereby contributing to the overall economic prosperity of Assam.

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