Dehradun: Uttarakhand government’s efforts to improve the livelihood of the state’s farmers and cultivators. The Indian Army will now procure poultry products from local farmers in the state through the Animal Husbandry Department. The first consignment for the Army’s forward posts at Mana and Malari in Chamoli district was dispatched. The consignment was flagged off by Chief Development Officer Dr. Abhishek Tripathi.
Under this initiative by the Animal Husbandry Department, the goal is to ensure the supply of locally produced sheep, goat, and poultry products to the Indian Army’s forward posts in Uttarakhand. In the first phase, poultry products are being supplied.
The first consignment dispatched from Joshimath supplied poultry to the Mana and Malari posts of the Indian Army. These products were provided by local livestock farmers Mr. Gulshan Singh Rana and Mr. Saurabh Negi.
The aim of this initiative is not only to increase production but also to provide local livestock farmers with a robust and sustainable market right at the local level. This will ensure fair prices for their products and timely payments.
“This historic initiative, under which the Indian Army is being supplied with sheep, goat, and poultry products by local farmers and livestock rearers, marks a significant step towards building a self-reliant India. It will provide a sustainable and assured market for the livestock farmers of our border villages. Along with giving a new direction to the Vibrant Villages Programme, this initiative will also help curb migration from these villages.” Pushkar Singh Dhami, Chief Minister
The Animal Husbandry Department had earlier signed an MoU with the ITBP, resulting in local market access for livestock farmers. Similarly, the possibility of supplying live sheep, goats, and poultry to the Indian Army opens a new market, offering additional income sources to the livestock farmers of Vibrant Villages, and creating local employment opportunities for youth who would otherwise migrate in search of jobs. This initiative is expected to help prevent migration from border villages.
On this occasion, Chief Development Officer Dr. Abhishek Tripathi, Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Aseem Deb, Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer, and Chamoli District Project Coordinator Dr. Puneet Bhatt were present.
