Agriculture and animal husbandry are basic sectors, which engages major chunk of population of Himachal Pradesh. State Government is laying special attention on strengthening animal husbandry sector as it supplements the income generated by farming and contributes towards boosting rural economy.
Under ‘Mukhyamantri Arogya Pashudhan Yojana’, veterinary institutions would be opened in all such Panchayats where this facility is not available till date. 194 such veterinary institutions have already been opened across the State.
‘Doodh Ganga scheme’ launched to boost milk production in the State aims to transform micro-enterprises engaged in dairy farming into successful dairy ventures. It is directed at empowering 50,000 rural households economically through 10,000 Self- Help Groups (SHGs). Under this scheme, people in rural areas are being motivated to take to retailing of dairy products and related activities in a big way, which would go a long way in boosting their economic stature. For establishing units for manufacturing dairy products, loan upto 15 lakh is provided. A subsidy to the tune of 25 percent is being provided to general category farmers and 33 percent to SC & ST candidates. Till date, a loan of Rs 44.97 crore has been provided to 4131 beneficiaries.
In an initiative to produce genetically superior cattle breed through reproductive biotechnology in the State, a first-of-its kind scientific laboratory for Embryo Transfer Technology is being set up at Kangra at a cost of Rs 3 crore. This would usher in a revolution in rapid genetic improvement of the livestock, besides increased milk production.
Himachal Pradesh has become one of the first States in the country to constitute a Para Veterinary Council, a statutory body to regulate the para veterinary institutions and practice.
To provide better health care facilities to the livestock, 15 new veterinary institutions were opened, 21 veterinary dispensaries were upgraded to veterinary hospitals and 4 veterinary dispensaries were upgraded to Central veterinary hospitals. Rs 3.67 crore were spent on providing basic facilities at veterinary institutions in the State.
Dairy production is an integral part of the Animal Husbandry and forms a part of the earning of small farm holder in Himachal Pradesh. An amount of Rs 9 crore has been approved by the State Government to start milk projects in three districts of the State. Besides a milk powder unit is being set up in Duttnagar, Rampur by spending Rs 3 crore. During last three and half years, with an increase of Rs 6 per litre in the price of milk, milk producers earned a profit to the tune of Rs 68 crore. A sum of Rs 5 crore had been approved for purchase of fodder related machinery.
The provisions of Himachal Pradesh Prohibition of Cow Slaughter (Amendment) Bill 2010 have been made more stringent by the present State Government. Many effective steps are being taken for the proper up keep of Gau Sadans. Besides, land being provided for establishing Gau Sadans, other necessary assistance is also being given from to time. Gau Sadans are also being established in association with various Temple Trusts in the State. The capacity of Gau Sadan, Khajjian, Kangra has been increased to 500 by spending an amount of Rs 1.75 crore. Similarly a sum of Rs 1.12 crore was provided to set up a Gau Sadan at Lehri Barot, District Bilaspur.
A land measuring 100 bigha was transferred and Rs 30 lakh were approved for setting up a Gau Sadan at Janghana, Tehsil Arki, Solan. To make Gau Sadan self reliable, Rs 30 lakh were approved to make vermi compost pits in about 56 Gau sadans.
State Government had launched ‘Bhed Palak Samridhi Yojna’ aimed at speedy socio-economic upliftment of the community engaged in sheep rearing. A loan of Rs 1 lakh is being provided to them over purchase of 40 sheep and two rams. Also a subsidy of 33 percent i.e. Rs 33,000 is being provided to the shepherds under this scheme. 94 cases have been approved under the scheme so far and a loan of Rs 82.20 lakh and subsidy amounting to Rs 33.40 lakh has been given to the shepherds till date.
