[1]Animal husbandry minister T.K.M. Chinnaiyya announced a series of schemes for his department at an estimated Rs50 crore which includes Rs25 crore for developing infrastructure and veterinary facilities across the state.
He informed the Assembly on Friday that work on establishing two veterinary colleges in Thanjavur and Tirunelveli districts were progressing and tenders would be floated soon.
Reeling out statistic, the minister said, Tamil Nadu stands second in egg production in the country and contributes 18.27 per cent of the total production. In terms of meat and milk production, the state holds 5th and 8th position. With the state livestock population surging, the state would soon be the hub for livestock, he said.
The minister also invited all his colleagues and legislators to attend the free livestock distribution scheme to observe the emotions and confidence the farmers develop when they receive the livestock. Fighting tears, they hail chief minister J. Jayalalithaa as maadu kudutha maharasi and the farmers who receive the free goats walk with the gait of pannaiyars (landlords). These livestock are now an integral part of their family and have enhanced their monthly income.
The beneficiaries come back to us, to share that their cows and goats are breeding well. The livestock has marginally raised their livelihood and most of these beneficiaries are landless people, the minister said, noting that the goat kids born to the brood stock supplied to farmers has crossed the 12,000 mark in the state.
Later in the day, dairy minister V. Moorthy informed the Assembly that steps were on to enhance milk production. A state-of-the-art centre to produce milk products would be established at Ambattur. The state-run Aavin is planning to come out with smart cards replacing the existing milk card system, he said.
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