HT Correspondent
KOKRAJHAR, Aug 27: A one-day workshop focusing on various aspects of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary management related to livestock was successfully conducted at the auditorium hall of Science College in Kokrajhar. Pramod Boro, the chief executive member of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), highlighted the significant role of efficient livestock regulation and management in driving economic progress, drawing parallels with economically successful European countries like Denmark.
The event was organised by the Veterinary & Animal Husbandry department of Bodoland Territorial Region. Chief executive member Boro graced the occasion as the chief guest and emphasised the pivotal role played by officers, veterinary doctors, paravets, and ministerial staff in ensuring the health and well-being of livestock. He stressed that livestock regulation and management are crucial determinants of a society’s economic advancement.
Boro further highlighted the urgent need to enhance various forms of production in the north-eastern region to promote economic growth, especially in a region where a significant percentage of the population consumes non-vegetarian food. He announced plans for the modernisation and upgrade of 20 veterinary centres across BTR in the current financial year, aiming to revamp the animal husbandry and veterinary sector to provide socio-economic opportunities in the region.
During the workshop, discussions centred around state and central flagship programs related to animal husbandry and veterinary sector. Dr Utpal Bharadwaj, nodal officer of Assam for the National Livestock Mission (NLM), discussed the role of NLM in promoting overall economic progress. He highlighted NLM’s provisions, including livestock insurance and entrepreneurship development, emphasising the opportunities it provides for budding entrepreneurs in the field of livestock intervention.
Executive member of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, BTC, Rakesh Brahma, highlighted the successes of the Veterinary department in BTC, such as livestock vaccination and curbing illegal fishing. He affirmed the BTR government’s commitment to the region’s all-round development and urged media coverage to raise public awareness about these initiatives.
Prominent attendees at the event included principal secretary, BTC, Akashdeep; executive member of Handloom and Textiles, BTC, Dhananjoy Basumatary; secretary BTC, Dithakanada Hazarika; principal of Kokrajhar Science College, Dr Ramananda Sinha; director of BTC, Jyoti Pad Das; and advisor Pig Mission, Dr Bhagatlal Dutta.