Tripura Chief Minister Prof. Dr Manik Saha on Saturday announced that the government has set a target of making the state self-sufficient in production of fish, meat, milk, and eggs within the next five years.

“The Animal Resources Department team is working on this. Along with agriculture and horticultural crop production, the government has given special importance to animal resources. The financial development of animal husbandry in rural areas has been given importance,” said Dr Saha.

The Chief Minister made this statement at a function organized in the presence of Union Animal Husbandry and Dairy Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh to mark the inauguration of Dairy Unit-2, with a capacity to process and produce 40,000 liters of milk and dairy products, in Bamutia.

The dairy processing unit was inaugurated under the National Program for Dairy Development.

Dr Saha said at the function, “Today is a happy day for Tripura as another dairy farm has been added. I have inquired about the implementation of this project at various times. Without teamwork, it is not possible to implement such a project and achieve the main goal. For this, the Animal Resources Development Department and the Cooperative Department have worked in coordination. In the future, work is being done with the aim of doubling the income of farmers and cowherds. I thank Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh for being here today. He is helping us in various ways.”

Dr Saha further mentioned that the state government has provided land for the implementation of this dairy project.

The total cost of the project is Rs. 22 crore. Out of this, the central government has provided Rs. 19.41 crore and the state government has provided Rs. 2.60 crore. There is such a project in Indranagar. Today, this is the second unit.

“The people of West District, Khowai District, Sepahijala District, Gomati District, and South District will benefit from the launch of this unit. Various types of high-quality dairy products will be produced here including milk, curd, paneer, lassi, ice cream, etc. It is very necessary to improve the socio-economic conditions in rural areas. For this, special attention should be paid to the cooperative sector and animal resources development. If these two sectors are taken forward, Tripura will become stronger,” said Dr. Saha.

The Chief Minister further said that the supply infrastructure from milk producers to consumers should be improved and the quality from production to supply chain should be maintained.

 “At the same time, it should be supplied to the people while maintaining quality. The marketing system should also be strengthened. Training should be provided to workers and officials for skill development. Our Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also given special importance to skill development. Emphasis should also be placed on village-based milk collection. Animal husbandry should be encouraged. If sales increase, they will also benefit financially. The dairy unit that was launched today will create employment opportunities,” he said.

Providing more information, he said that Tripura ranks first in the Northeast in terms of per capita availability of eggs, and second in milk. In the financial year 2022–23, egg production was Rs. 33.85 crore and the annual per capita availability of eggs was 83. In the financial year 2023–24, egg production increased to Rs. 35.96 crore and the annual per capita egg intake was 87.

In the case of meat, it was 57.34 metric tons in the financial year 2022–23, and the annual per capita intake was 14.10 kg. In the financial year 2023–24, it increased to 59.70 metric tons and the annual per capita intake was 14.39 kg.

In the case of milk, the annual production in the state in the financial year 2022–23 was 230.12 metric tons and the daily per capita intake was 155.07 grams. In the financial year 2023–24, the production increased to 247.31 metric tons.

Union Minister of State Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel, Minister for Animal Husbandry Sudhangshu Das, Cooperatives Minister Shukla Charan Noatia, MLA Mina Rani Sarkar, Chairman of Gomati Dairy Ratan Ghosh, and other dignitaries were present as distinguished guests at the event.