National livestock policy on cards

NEW DELHI: Alarmed at the decline in fund allocation for animal husbandry and fishery, agriculture ministry as also states on Monday favoured quick formulation of a national livestock policy to step up investment, check cheap imports and protect farmers'' interests under WTO regime.
Concerned over low funding in livestocks, Union agriculture minister Ajit Singh said “budgetary allocation to the sector has further declined to 0.6% of the total budgetary resources for the Tenth Plan from 1.1% during the Ninth Plan�.
Inaugurating state ministers’ conference on animal husbandry, dairying and fisheries here, Mr Singh said livestock and fisheries sector employs over 18m people and contributes 7.4% to the GDP, but plan allocation has not been commensurate with its major role. Expressing similar views at the day-long meet, the states demanded increase in the allocation of resources to the livestock sector in the plan schemes.
State ministers felt improvement of livestock breeding is important for the overall development of the sector which would not only generate employment but also increase income of the farmers, minister of state for agriculture Hukumdeo Narayan Yadav told reporters after the meeting.
On challenges under WTO framework, Mr Yadav said the meet stressed the need for improving the quality of livestock and products as per the proposed national policy, which should be unveiled as soon as possible.
States wanted a separate body — Indian Council of Veterinary Research — to carry out research in animal husbandry and efforts and steps to eradicate foot and mouth disease and rinderpest.
There was a general consensus on the draft livestock policy while some state governments suggested that the document must reflect the regional cattle wealth of the country and ensure preservation of indigenous breeds of livestock, Mr Yadav said.
He said the policy would be finalised shortly after further consultations.
During the conference, it was suggested that government should levy user charges to the services rendered by the department of animal husbandry. It was pointed out that some states like Karnataka were already charging fee for services like artificial insemination.
Participants suggested that similar charges can also be levied for other services so that the quality of services can be improved and the fund so received can again be ploughed back for the development of animal husbandry.
Another suggestion which has direct impact on marketing of milk and improving nutrition is the promotion of milk and milk products through the mid-day meal programme. Development of poultry and small ruminants like sheep and goats was described important from the point of view of small and marginal farmers, especially those in hilly and backward areas of the country.
It was felt that the centre may take up with the state governments the issue of fodder development on wastelands and degraded lands so as to overcome the deficit. To discuss the problem of exodus of cattle from the drought-hit Rajasthan, a meeting with its neighbouring states would be convened soon, Mr Yadav said.
It was recommended that due importance be given to inland fisheries to boost employment opportunities.