Assam Governor Prof Jagdish Mukhi on Saturday said the poultry industry has not only provided the much-needed animal protein to our countrymen, but also generated extensive livelihood opportunities to educated unemployed youth.
Prof Mukhi said this at the closing function of Poultry Expo-2019 at College of Veterinary Science playground in Khanapara.
The Poultry Expo-2019 which started on October 17 last was organized by the Directorate of Research (Vety), Assam Agricultural University in collaboration with All Assam Poultry Farmers and Traders Association.
Speaking at the valedictory function, the Governor said that he was happy that poultry industry in the State is doing well which has given vocation to several enterprising youth.
He also said that he was equally happy to note that both broiler and layer enterprises have been set up by educated unemployed youth with self financing mode and also with financial support from Government and other financial institutes.
Such commercial ventures of broiler and layer farms will not only create new opportunities for the youths, but will certainly reverse the process of migration of people to urban areas in search of livelihood.
The clarion call given by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to double farmers’ income by 2022, would see the light only when all components of Agriculture are developed equally.
Prof Mukhi further said that while developing commercial broiler and layer farms, one should not get carried away and forget to preserve and develop its own gene pools.
The Northeast region is considered as one of the original areas in Asia for the development of modern poultry from the red jungle fowl, which is still found in the forest of this region.
Scientific efforts must be made to conserve and propagate these breeds of poultry.
The Governor also pointed out that the greatest shortcomings for poultry farming in this region, especially to Assam, is the climate.
Being a hot humid climate, the birds are prone to bacterial, viral and parasitic diseases.
The Directorate of Research (Veterinary) should come up with an efficient support system to tackle these problems in the form of better veterinary health coverage.
The closing ceremony of the Poultry Expo-2019 was attended by the vice chancellor of Assam Agricuktural University Dr Ashok Bhattacharya, Former VC, AAU Dr K M Bujarbaruah, chairman Poultry Expo-2019 Dr N Kalita along with a host of other dignitaries and farmers associated with poultry rearing and trade.