Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the state-of-the-art hatchery of the Assam Livestock & Poultry Corporation (ALPCO), an Assam government undertaking at Panjabari here.
The new hatchery–Sarothi–has been set up by ALPCO with financial support from NABARD would produce 8 lakh pullets every month and benefit over four lakh poultry farmers of the state.
Speaking at the function he said, “The economy of the state will make significant headway only when the agriculture sector is properly strengthened. The livestock farming which is an integral part of our agriculture sector has huge market within the state and outside. The abundant resources available in the state in this sector must be capitalized using latest technology to provide opportunities for dignified source of earning to our youth.”
He added that introducing progressive farmers as peer group in the society would inspire the youth to take up farming in a significant way and this will propel growth in agriculture sector in the state.
Stating that opportunities in the livestock market of the state stretch up to the ASEAN countries, the Chief Minister urged the veterinary department to come up with result oriented initiatives to make the state surplus in livestock production. He asserted that the state government would extend full support to farmers engaged in livestock production and also called upon the banks to join hands with the farmers.
Chief Minister Sonowal also presented ‘Chief Minister Preronaa Award’ to ten progressive farmers engaged in livestock production in the state. The farmers who received the award are Manoj Basumatary, Prasenjit Moran, Pabitra Bora, Raja Ram Mohan Rao, Lilakanta Pegu, Juna Tamuli Barman, Arpanjyoti Sarma, Jayanta Deka, Abhijit Phukan and JNB Group of Rangia. The awardees were felicitated with a gamosa, citation and cheque of Rs. 10,000 each.
Considering the rising demand of broiler chicken in Assam, the hatchery is expected to come as a great relief to the poultry farmers.