Responding to the issues raised by minister for animal
husbandry and fisheries, GoAP Gabriel D. Wangsu, during a review meeting at the
state civil secretariat here on Tuesday, 29 Oct Baghel emphasized the importance of quick delivery of services and
directed his accompanying officials to follow up on the proposals submitted by
the states to ensure timely implementation. He also expressed concern over
the apathetic attitude exhibited by banking institutions in delivering the
benefits of government policies to farmers, highlighting the need for immediate
corrective measures.
Baghel proposed several key initiatives aimed at
enhancing the livestock sector in Arunachal Pradesh especially for
strengthening animal health services for providing comprehensive animal health
care and support to local farmers.
Besides institutes dedicated to imparting training for
diploma courses in livestock management the union minister underscored the need
to intensify goat and sheep husbandry practices. These initiatives are
expected to significantly contribute to the development of the livestock sector
in Arunachal Pradesh, ensuring better health services, skilled personnel and
quality meat production, ultimately benefiting the farming community, the
minister opined.
The union minister
also instructed his officials to collaborate closely with the state government
to implement these suggestions effectively and address the concerns raised. The meeting also underscored the commitment to support and empower the
agricultural sector in Arunachal Pradesh through strategic initiatives and
enhanced cooperation between government bodies and financial institutions.
While raising various concerns, Wangsu urged the
visiting union minister to provide enhanced support for the development of
animal husbandry and fisheries sectors in the state.
Wangsu highlighted the challenges faced by the state
in implementing centrally sponsored schemes (CSS) and state-flagship programs
designed to improve the welfare of farmers. He said that delays in the release
of subsidy-related funds, particularly in loan disbursements by the lead bank
have hampered efforts to double farmers’ incomes by 2025. Further, Wangsu
underscored the hindrance caused by present norms of releasing the central
sponsored/ central sector funds in four installments, and urged to draw a
mechanism for timely disbursement in two installments to improve program
efficiency. Wangsu also handed over a
memorandum outlining specific initiatives to advance technical capacities in
the animal husbandry and fisheries sector. His requests included
establishment of a Veterinary College and Fisheries College in Arunachal
Pradesh; inclusion of indigenous Mithun and Yak species under the National
Livestock Mission’s Entrepreneurship Development Program (EDP); and
establishment of a Regional Research Laboratory for Cold Water Fisheries.
Wangsu expressed optimism that the union government’s
intervention will be pivotal in overcoming obstacles to the growth of
agriculture and allied sectors in Arunachal Pradesh, which remains crucial for
the socio-economic upliftment of its rural communities. Earlier, on 28 October
last, Baghel accompanied by Wangsu, secretary (AHVDD & fisheries) Hage Tari
and senior officers visited the Integrated Aqua Park, located in Tarin (Ziro),
Lower Subansiri.
The MoS expressed
satisfaction for the ongoing efforts.