STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: Assam is losing out Rs 1,500 crore to other States every year while importing meat, milk and eggs.
Even though Dispur is now providing a thrust for adequate production of egg, milk and meat, it will take some time for the State to become self-sufficient in the production of these three items.
"The Veterinary & Animal Husbandry is one of the most neglected departments in the recent years. Such negligence has resulted in very less production of meat, milk and eggs in proportion to their demand in the State.
"States like Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh have taken advantage of the situation and dominated the egg, meat and milk markets in Assam. The annual average growth of meat is 0.4% followed by 0.3% in milk and 0.2% in egg," pointed out a source in the Veterinary department.
While Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra supply 32 lakh eggs to Assam daily, the State produces 27 lakh eggs daily. During the financial year 2018-2019, the annual meat production in Assam was 150 lakh MT (Metric Tons) against the demand of 375 lakh MT.
In 2016-2017, the then Assam Government had launched the 'Chief Minister Samagra Gramya Unnayan Yojana'. Under the scheme steps were taken in mission mode to enhance production domestic production of meat, milk and egg in the State. However, most of the steps only remained in papers due to various reasons.
"A huge number of the unemployed youths can be engaged to take up the enterprising initiatives for the production of milk, meat and eggs. Such engagements do not require huge investments. The State Government has to provide certain logistical support and expertise to the enterprising youths," added an official of the State Veterinary department. He added that the production of milk, meat and eggs is now an unorganized sector. "Organized production of these items can make Assam self-sufficient in the production of these items and contribute to the economy," he added.
The silver-lining is that Assam has been able to achieve annual fish-production of 3.73 lakh MT against the demand of 3.90 lakh MT.
Also Watch: