Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik attended an orientation program organized for newly appointed veterinarians and advised veterinarians to apply 5T principles to bring about transformation in the field of animal husbandry development.
The Chief Minister said that transformation comes through technology, joint ventures, transparency and proper application of time.
The Chief Minister said that as young veterinarians, they have an important role to play in the health protection and development of animal resources.
As many as 209 Veterinary Assistant Surgeons were handed over appointment letters in the orientation program held at Lok Seva Bhawan Convention Hall. Departmental officers of all districts participated in the program through video conferencing.
Congratulating the newly appointed veterinarian on this occasion, the Chief Minister said that livestock has an important contribution to the development of the rural economy. The Chief Minister said that it has played an important role in diversifying the livelihood of Odisha’s farmers and generating more income.
The Chief Minister said that the state government has taken many steps including preparing policies to improve the livelihood of livestock farmers. Under the Mukhyamantri Krushi Udyog Yojana, farmers and entrepreneurs are given a subsidy of up to one crore rupees for setting up new units. Mission Shakti members are also given financial support for this. Vaccination of livestock is being done in mission mode.
The Chief Minister said that through 3,600 milk producers’ cooperatives, more than 3 lakh milk farmers are able to sell their products.
On this occasion, the Chief Minister provided livelihood support to the families of marine fishermen affected by the fishing restrictions imposed on the coast of Odisha for the protection of the rare olive ridley turtles.
The Chief Minister said that “You are sacrificing a lot for the protection of the olive ridley turtles. I respect your sacrifice and thank you for your commitment to the environment.”
14,228 families of marine fishermen in Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Puri and Ganjam districts have been given Rs 15,000 as subsistence allowance. A total assistance of over Rs.21.34 crores was provided. Earlier, during these fishing restrictions, the families of the affected marine fishermen were being given Rs 7500 each.
It is noteworthy that Odisha’s 120 km coastline is known as the habitat of the rare Olive Ridley turtle. Every year these turtles come from thousands of miles to the coast of Odisha to lay eggs.
To protect their egg-laying process, fishing restrictions are imposed from November 1 to May 31 in the Devi Estuary, Dhamra Estuary, Rushikulya Estuary and throughout the year in the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary.
On this occasion, 2 fishermen, Adhu Kalia from Ganjam and Bhaktaranjan Mahali from Kendrapada gave their opinion and said that there are restrictions on catching fish during the egg-laying season of turtles. The state government was giving them Rs 7,500 for this. They said that the Chief Minister understood their grief and doubled it.
Minister of Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Ranendra Pratap Swain, said that this new appointment will bring happiness and change in the lives of farmers engaged in animal husbandry in the state.
He said that agriculture and animal husbandry are an important part of our rural life, the production of animal products in the state has increased many times in the last 20 years and the financial condition of farmers has improved.
Speaking on the occasion Chief Secretary PK Jena informed that in Odisha there has been continuous growth in agriculture and animal husbandry. He said that the state government is increasing the budget of the agriculture sector by 20 per cent every year. He opined that the income of farmers in the state can be quadrupled with the development of animal resources.
Speaking on the occasion, 2 newly appointed doctors Dr. Rukmini Nayak and Dr. Narendra Hembram described their experience and praised the 5T program. They opined that it has brought clarity and speed in the recruitment process.
Principal Secretary, Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Suresh Kumar Vashishth delivered the welcome address and the Director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services proposed the vote of thanks.
It is worth noting that since animal husbandry provides livelihood, income, protein supplementation and food security to rural families, the role of veterinarian has become indispensable.
The role of veterinarians is very important in managing animal health, ensuring nutritional security for the livelihoods of rural people, especially women and children.
They are key workers at the grassroots level who bridge the gap between farmers and the government. They work for the successful implementation of various programs of the government.
