GUWAHATI: Assam's Governor, Gulab Chand Kataria made a historic declaration on January 8 concerning the state's economic prospects. He predicted an impressive growth of 20% in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and revealed his plans towards this end. At the Livestock and Poultry Show 2024 event, he spoke about how upping contributions from agriculture will play a critical role - it currently holds nearly one-fifth (19.89%) of Assam's GDP share- leading to progress for all sects within the industry alike.
Governor Kataria stressed the crucial part played by the livestock and poultry sector, accounting for 5.30% of the total GDP. He highlighted that government support towards local farmers and young people remains constant, urging them to grab opportunities offered through different schemes aimed at boosting revenue. This backing has led to an abundance of new start-ups promoting autonomy and sustainable development with several success stories emerging in recent times.
The Governor emphasized the essentiality of incorporating contemporary technology in significant areas such as cattle farming, poultry rearing, and dairy production to enhance the earnings of farmers. He pointed out that states like Gujarat and Punjab have shown incredible advancements in agriculture and milk production; therefore he urged Assam to follow their lead.
The Governor praised Assam for its position as a top state in pig farming and notable progress in poultry, expressing confidence that milk and egg production would also continue to improve. With the implementation of the Assam Dairy Development Scheme, there is an ambitious goal of producing 10 lakh litres of milk daily, signaling the government's dedication towards strengthening dairy output.
The governor of Assam, Kataria, has urged relevant departments to organize the unorganized dairy sector by creating clusters that can sustainably market milk within the state. He expressed satisfaction with government initiatives aimed at doubling farmers' incomes and highlighted key schemes such as Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM), National Livestock Mission (NLM), Livestock Health and Disease Control Program, and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana. The Governor encouraged farmers to take advantage of these programs so they could ensure robust growth in agriculture and allied sectors in Assam while positioning themselves for economic prosperity—and his vision is setting up a transformative journey toward this goal.
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