Union Minister Rajiv Rajan Singh, also known as Lalan Singh, on Thursday highlighted the challenges faced by the dairy sector in the North East, stating that while the region has witnessed 27% growth in the past decade, it remains insufficient to reach the national average.
Addressing a two-day Livestock Conclave on the theme “Holistic Development of Livestock Sector in North East India” at Hotel Marriot, Police Bazar, Shillong, Singh said, “Although in the last 10 years, there was growth of 27 percent in the dairy sector in the North East, this 27 percent is not sufficient to take us up to the national average. We have to take it further. In the dairy sector in the North East, 2,500 cooperative societies are there, and through this, from 90,000 farmers, on average, 1.5 tons of milk are being collected every day.”
Highlighting the sector’s potential and impact, Singh added, “The progress that is expected in the dairy sector in the North East is still lacking. Over 1.5 million people in the North East are somehow attached to this dairy sector, and indirectly, over 3 million people are connected to this sector in the region.”
Singh emphasized the need for a strategic approach, stating, “We need to underline areas where we need to increase production. The data which underline the factors to increase production and bring it to the level of the national average is a challenge for us. In the animal husbandry, dairy, poultry, and piggery sectors, if we reach near the national average, then only we can make the North East self-sufficient in these sectors.”
The Union Minister further called for collaboration and coordination among the northeastern states, saying, “We all have gathered here to discuss the possibility of development in animal husbandry, veterinary, and dairy. The representatives of various state governments attending this meeting provide a good opportunity for coordination among the North Eastern states in developing these sectors. There is immense potential for growth and development.”
He also spoke about the need for self-sufficiency in egg production while reiterating the importance of development in the dairy, poultry, and piggery sectors.
Union Minister of State George Kurian from the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, along with several ministers from various northeastern states, participated in the conclave.
From Meghalaya, Minister in charge of Community and Rural Development AT Mondal represented the state in person, while Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Minister AL Hek addressed the program virtually.