The Meghalaya minister seeks the Center’s help in developing animal husbandry and fisheries in the state

Meghalaya’s Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Minister AL Hek has sought the Centre’s help in developing the animal husbandry and fisheries sectors, which are important livelihoods in the state.

Hek met George Kurien, Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying on June 23 and asked the central government to intervene, stating that there was a decline in dairy cattle numbers, which was worrying as animal husbandry and fishing constituted important sources of income for poor people.

Moreover, the BJP leader also emphasized that the livestock and poultry farming sectors can be expanded, citing the fact that both the sectors add about 6% of animal husbandry across India.

He explained that in Meghalaya, there is more emphasis on time-tested species such as pigs and cattle to serve local needs. Secondly, the region, which relies mainly on home-based cattle and poultry breeding, is gradually moving towards less capital-intensive farming.

Similarly, in the case of fishing, the region, and especially the country, has large and diversified fish resources. The region is rich in freshwater fish species and is considered one of the world’s hotspots for freshwater fish biodiversity, Hek noted.

Hek pointed out that traditional animal husbandry such as pigs and cattle meet local needs as the region shifts toward less capital-intensive livestock farming in the state. He also emphasized that freshwater fishermen in Meghalaya are famous for diverse species of fish.

Adding that the sectors can also help in increasing employment opportunities, he suggested that, according to media reports, he will prepare a project that will aim to modernize the sectors.