Bhubaneswar, Mar 5: Small animal farming plays an important role in the development of rural economy as it provides livelihood to small and marginal farmers, said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
Inaugurating a workshop on ‘rural livelihood through small animal farming’ here on Friday, Patnaik said next to agriculture, small animal farming is the most important sustainable activity in rural areas. “Odisha is a good repository of small animal genetic resources. Unique goat breeds like Ganjam, Black Bengal and Unique Sheep breeds like Bolangir and Ganjam are found in the State”, he said, adding Odisha has great potential for development of this sector and provide sustainable livelihood to the poor and marginal farmers.
The Chief Minister said the State government is soon going to formulate a Small Animal Development Policy focusing on its commercial farming and improvement in production.
“The department has recently collaborated with International agencies like Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation funded International Fund for Agricultural Development and International Livestock Research Institute on PPP mode for goat and sheep development in the State”, he said.
Several initiatives have been taken to enhance meat, egg and fish production across Odisha, he added.
On the occasion, as many as 98 Livestock Inspectors were given appointment letters by the Chief Minister who said he is personally reviewing the progress in the recruitment to vacant posts of various government departments.
