NDDB, Nabard to work on rural areas

NDDB and Nabard will work together to develop livestock economy in the rural areas of the country. The government of India has asked both the organisations to address the development of livestock assets in India.

Jairam Ramesh, Union minister of state for commerce said, "The government will focus on the development of livestock economy as it will play an important role, giving an alternative source of livelihood for the rural areas."

On this, Amrita Patel, chairman of NDDB, said, "Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has expressed urgency to develop the new line of sector in the rural areas by developing livestock economy."

When asked whether there is any time frame to launch this initiative, Patel, said, "We have just had our first meeting with the Nabard chairman, so it will take some time."

On Thursday, YSP Thorat, the chairman of Nabard had a meeting with Amrita Patel to discuss ways to implement the idea of developing livestock economy. Nabard will be providing the funds, while NDDB will be providing the technical assistance and know-how for the livestock economy development.

According to Ramesh, the development of livestock economy will be the third biggest revolution after green revolution and white revolution.

He further said that the Prime Minister himself had noticed that suicidal rates were high in those areas where farmers only depended on agriculture, while those regions where farmers were involved in livestock activities as well suicidal rates were lower.

On the occasion of inauguration of packaging film plant, Mahesh Chandra, managing director of Indian Dairy Machinery Company (IDMC), said, "The plant is the first of its kind in India."

Gujarat government will soon introduce a detailed policy on the development of Agro-food processing industries in the state. On the occasion of inauguration of packaging film plant at IDMC at Anand, Anil Patel, minister of state for industry, Gujarat government, said, "The agro policy will be unveiled and introduced very soon in Gujarat."

He further said that it was necessary to promote the agriculture sector based industries.