GUWAHATI, Nov 10 - Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal today launched the first phase of vaccination drive of livestock for prevention of foot and mouth disease (FMD) and brucellosis under the National Animal Disease Control Programme at a function here.
The National Animal Disease Control Programme was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in September 2019 for ensuring hundred per cent vaccination of cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat and pig population against fatal diseases like FMD and brucellosis.
The programme aims to control the livestock diseases by 2025 and eradicate these by 2030 and seeks to vaccinate over 500 million livestock against FMD and 36 million against brucellosis.
The Chief Minister said the animal husbandry and veterinary department has a big responsibility to encourage and guide the State�s farmers and livestock growers to achieve their full potential and contribute to the rural economy. He called upon the veterinary doctors and other officials of the department to engage with the farmers on a regular basis to help them overcome the problems.
Citing the example of Vietnam, Sonowal said that the small country was doing business worth millions of dollars by adding value to their agriculture and livestock products and exporting to other countries. He urged the State veterinary officials to work with dedication to make Assam self-reliant in livestock and poultry items. He also urged them to help livestock growers to enable the State to export livestock produce to other states and countries.
Referring to the example of Assam farmers exporting products to places such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Singapore, Hong Kong, etc., Sonowal said the State�s youths must be encouraged to take up farming and agriculture as a means of livelihood and stressed on the need to use science and technology for increasing output in short time.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the State government�s steps for doubling farmers� income by 2022.
Agriculture Minister Atul Bora underlined the need to make the veterinary department vibrant through hard work and dedication, and urged the officials to fully commit themselves to the cause. He also underlined the need for the State�s farmers to work harder to achieve increased production.
