Sri Vijaya Puram, Aug 4: In a significant move aimed at reviving the livestock sector and boosting rural livelihoods across the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, has written to Shri Rajeev Ranjan Singh, Hon’ble Union Minister of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries, Government of India with a copy forwarded to Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, Hon’ble Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and The Chief Secretary, Andaman & Nicobar Administration, requesting immediate intervention for the supply of 500 high-quality Sahiwal and Gir cows to the Islands via cattle ships.
Hon’ble MP has highlighted the deteriorating state of the Animal Husbandry sector in the Union Territory, which has seen no fresh supply of livestock from the mainland for over three decades. Recalling earlier initiatives during the 1970s and 1992–93 when cattle ships from Gujarat, Kerala, Rajasthan, and Haryana supplied high-yielding breeds like Jersey and Gir cows, He pointed out that such efforts had significantly contributed to farmers’ livelihoods in the Islands.
However, in the absence of fresh livestock supplies, the current dependence on artificial insemination and lab-based reproduction methods has yielded minimal results, with only a few cows successfully reproducing. As a result, the local cattle population is aging rapidly, leading to dwindling productivity and mounting economic losses for farmers.
The Hon’ble MP also expressed concern over the lack of scientific management in the Animal Husbandry Department of the A&N Administration. He pointed out that the appointment of administrative officers (DANICS) instead of qualified veterinary scientists as Director (which has recently arranged as short gap arrangement) has severely impacted the implementation of Central and UT-sponsored schemes. Many schemes meant for the upliftment of rural farmers remain unimplemented or poorly executed due to this administrative gap.
In his letter, the Hon’ble MP has requested that the Ministry of Animal Husbandry coordinate with the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways to arrange for the supply of at least 500 high-yielding Sahiwal and Gir cows through cattle ships. He suggested that these cattle be distributed to eligible farmers, including those in tribal regions, under appropriate schemes to ensure equitable development.
Shri Bishnu Pada Ray, Hon’ble MP emphasized that this timely intervention will rejuvenate the livestock sector, increase rural incomes, and create employment opportunities in alignment with the objectives of Atmanirbhar Bharat and sustainable rural development.