Dehradun: To improve economic condition of people living in remote pockets of the Himalayan state, the state cabinet on Wednesday approved a proposal by the animal husbandry department under which shepherds, chicken poultry farmers and fish farmers from three border districts Uttarkashi, Chamoli and Pithoragarh would provide mutton, chicken and fish to the Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) through state co-operative societies.
In a decision for livestock farmers, a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami with Animal Husbandry Minister Saurabh Bahuguna approved a new scheme. The state government has given the green Signal to supply sheep, goats, poultry, and fish from various districts to the battalions of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). This initiative will directly benefit more than 11,000 livestock farmers through over 80 cooperative societies across the state.
Secretary of Animal Husbandry, Dr. B.V.R.C. Purushottam, said that the Cabinet has approved the supply of live sheep, goats, poultry, and fish to ITBP through cooperative societies. A memorandum of understanding (MoU) will soon be signed between the ITBP and the cooperative societies. Additionally, the government has approved a revolving fund of Rs 5 crore as an interest-free loan to support this initiative.
The scheme will initially be launched in three districts: Uttarkashi, Chamoli and Pithoragarh, located in the state’s border areas. Through cooperative societies, more than 11,000 livestock farmers will benefit from the scheme, including approximately 7,000 women. Among these, 10,000 farmers will supply sheep and goats, over 800 will provide poultry, and more than 500 fish farmers will benefit from the supply chain. This is the first time in Uttarakhand that such a large market is being provided for sheep, goat, fish, and poultry farmers.
Dr. Purushottam further added that the estimated annual trade from this initiative could reach Rs 200 crore. Once the scheme is implemented, remote districts of the state will have access to a substantial market for fish, poultry, and livestock farming. The government is also ensuring timely payments to farmers by providing a Rs 5 crore revolving fund, enabling payments to be made within two days.
