Haryana Chief Minister Champions Modern Livestock Farming for National Self-Reliance
In a significant address at the 41st State-Level Livestock Exhibition in Kurukshetra, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini articulated a clear vision for the animal husbandry sector. He declared that this vital industry will be instrumental in realizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ambitious goal of an Atmanirbhar Bharat, or a self-reliant India.
Strategic Focus on Modernization and Profitability
The government's core objective, as outlined by CM Saini, is to transform livestock rearing into a modern, profitable, and sustainable enterprise. He pointed to the vast, untapped potential within the sector, particularly in areas like milk production, value addition to dairy products, boosting exports, and fostering innovative start-ups.
To achieve this transformation, the Haryana administration is implementing a multi-pronged strategy. This includes strengthening animal health services to ensure herd well-being, actively promoting breed improvement programs for higher yield, expanding training and credit facilities for farmers, and ensuring better market access so livestock rearers can secure fair prices for their produce.
Grand Finale of the 41st Livestock Exhibition
The Chief Minister served as the chief guest for the concluding day of the prestigious exhibition, a major event for the state's agrarian community. The occasion was graced by the presence of Haryana Minister Shyam Singh Rana, Kurukshetra MP Naveen Jindal, former minister Subhash Sudha, and chairman Dharamvir Mirzapur.
CM Saini's participation was marked by several ceremonial and interactive moments. He began by offering prayers through the traditional act of feeding jaggery to an indigenous cow. Following this, he conducted a detailed inspection of the exhibition grounds, engaging directly with livestock farmers to understand their challenges and aspirations.
A highlight of the event was the cattle catwalk, which showcased elite breeds from across the state. In a unique and memorable welcome, the Chief Minister was ceremonially greeted by a camel upon his arrival, and he later took a ride on the animal, underscoring the cultural and economic importance of diverse livestock.
Substantial Awards for Champion Breeders
In a move to recognize and incentivize excellence, Chief Minister Saini honored outstanding livestock breeders during the ceremony. A total prize purse of Rs 20 lakh was awarded to eight champion breeders, selected across male and female categories of various cattle breeds. Each top-performing farmer received a generous cheque of Rs 2.5 lakh.
Haryana's Animal Husbandry Director General, Prem Singh, announced the distinguished winners:
- Murrah Breed: The male championship was won by a Murrah bull owned by Narender Singh of Bursam village, Panipat. The female championship was secured by a Murrah buffalo belonging to Ishwar Singh of Singhwa Khas village, Hisar.
- Haryana Breed: A Haryana bull owned by Narender from Didwani village, Panipat, was declared the male champion. The female title went to a cow owned by Anup from Gwalishan village, Jhajjar.
- Sahiwal Breed: The male champion was a bull owned by Anuj of Tarawadi, Karnal. The female championship was won by a cow belonging to Rajbir of Dadupur Rodana, Karnal.
- Exotic Cross-Breed: The male title was awarded to livestock owner Pawan from Saga village. The female championship was secured by Akshdeep of Galibkheri village, Karnal.
This grand exhibition and the government's focused initiatives underscore Haryana's commitment to elevating its animal husbandry sector, positioning it as a cornerstone for rural prosperity and a key contributor to India's journey towards economic self-reliance.
