Bhubaneswar: Marking World Veterinary Day, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday announced a series of major initiatives aimed at strengthening animal health services, livestock development, and fisheries infrastructure across the state.
Addressing a state-level programme at the State Convention Centre, the Chief Minister inaugurated 76 new veterinary hospital buildings and four animal aid centres built at an investment of around ₹100 crore. He also witnessed the signing of MoUs with six public sector undertakings for establishing 219 additional veterinary hospitals and diagnostic laboratories at a cost of ₹177 crore.
As part of strengthening diagnostic infrastructure, a state-level molecular laboratory will be set up at Phulnakhara in Cuttack with an investment of about ₹10 crore, while a feed testing laboratory will be upgraded with ₹6 crore to ensure quality animal nutrition.
Highlighting the fisheries sector, Majhi inaugurated a fish landing centre at Kasia in Bhadrak district and the upgradation of the Dhamara Fishing Harbour, undertaken at a cost of ₹50 crore.
On the occasion of the golden jubilee of OPOLFED, the Chief Minister launched dedicated marketing centres for brown eggs and indigenous Aseel chicken, aimed at ensuring fair prices for poultry farmers.
In a major policy push, Majhi announced the launch of the ₹1,423 crore “Kamadhenu Yojana” for the first time in the state. The scheme is expected to benefit over 15 lakh cattle rearers over five years, offering up to 70 per cent financial assistance for rearing high milk-yielding cows.
He further said that ₹33 crore has been earmarked under the Mukhyamantri Prani Kalyan Yojana for cow shelters, feed, maintenance, and healthcare. Additionally, ₹1,031 crore will be spent under the Prani Sampad Samruddhi Yojana to boost poultry farming and egg production, benefiting around 3.73 lakh families.
Emphasising the importance of allied agricultural activities, the Chief Minister noted that traditional farming alone cannot significantly enhance farmers’ income, and sectors like fisheries, dairy, poultry, and small ruminant farming must be promoted. “Our goal is not just to double farmers’ income but to multiply it manifold,” he said.
Referring to the One Health approach, Majhi stressed the need to integrate animal health, food safety, and public health systems. He added that under Odisha Vision 2036 and 2047, the state aims to achieve self-reliance in milk, egg, and meat production and rise to the fifth position nationally in egg production by 2047.
To strengthen last-mile service delivery, the state will engage 2,000 trained “A-HELP” (Community Animal Health Workers) to assist farmers, particularly in vaccination drives.
Praising veterinary professionals, Majhi said they serve animals that cannot speak and described them as “like gods for animals.”
Fisheries and Animal Resource Development Minister Gokulananda Mallik, who attended as a distinguished guest, highlighted the critical role of veterinarians as the first line of defence against zoonotic diseases and in ensuring food safety.
Senior officials including Prem Chand Chaudhary, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the department, and Vijay Amrut Kulange, Director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, were also present at the event.
