The Assam government has urged the Centre for grant of a special package to ‘rejuvenate piggery sector’ in the state.
This was informed by Assam agriculture minister Atul Bora after attending a national level virtual meeting, chaired by union minister for fisheries, animal Husbandry and dairying Parshottam Rupala on Monday.
Bora said that Assam is in need of special support package from the Centre to ‘rejuvenate piggery sector’, which was recently hit by the African swine fever.
Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!
“Requested the Centre for a special support package to rejuvenate the piggery sector in Assam as it was hit by African Swine Fever,” Assam agriculture minister Atul Bora said.
Also read: Battle for Panjshir: Taliban says valley ‘completely captured’, resistance forces deny claim
“A special package is required to retain No. 1 status of Assam in terms of pig population in the country & save livelihood of lakhs of households,” he added.
Ready for a challenge? Click here to take our quiz and show off your knowledge!
During the meeting, the Assam minister further urged the Centre to provide assistance in for setting up of vaccine production and disease diagnostic facilities for animals in the state.
Atul Bora said: “Sought assistance from the Centre for Vaccine Production & Disease Diagnostic facilities in the state.”
“The only Vaccine Production Unit in entire NE, the Institute of Veterinary Biologicals, Guwahati, established in 1950, needs upgradation as per the cGMP & FDA norms,” Bora added.
Also read: Centre appears hell-bent on not respecting Court orders: SC
He further said: “Given the critical & strategic location of the region and proneness to exotic & transboundary diseases, the North East Disease Diagnostic Laboratory needs to be fully upgraded with BSL-3 facilities.”
Speaking at the meeting The Assam minister also highlighted the initiatives taken by the state government “to augment the Animal Husbandry and Dairying sectors & current status of implementation of Central Govt’s schemes in the state”.
“Also sought Central Govt’s support to further develop these sectors & empower the farmers,” Atul Bora said.