Car Nicobar, Aug. 10: The Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services (AH&VS), A&N Administration, launched its ambitious ‘Target Two Lakhs’ initiative on Saturday, aiming to distribute over 2 lakh poultry chicks during the current financial year to boost rural nutrition and livelihoods. The programme was ceremoniously flagged off by Dr. Chandra Bhushan Kumar, IAS, Chief Secretary, A&N Administration from Tapoiming village, Car Nicobar, in the presence of Tribal Council representatives, PRI members, beneficiaries, and senior Officers of A&N Administration and staff of AH&VS.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Secretary highlighted the pivotal role of livestock in ensuring nutritional security and economic stability for marginal farmers and rural communities. He encouraged parents in tribal and rural areas to sustain their traditional way of life, emphasising that such practices can improve the quality of life for future generations. He also appreciated AH&VS’s efforts in value addition of livestock products for better returns to farmers.
Earlier, welcoming the gathering, Smt. Pallavi Sarkar, IAS, Secretary (AH&VS) gave a brief introduction to the poultry distribution initiative explaining that though the distribution was a routine activity done by the Department, there were issues of uneven distribution, lack of awareness and in-accessibility of remote locality. To address the issues and boost the availability of poultry chicks, the Department has been upgrading its infrastructure and strengthening the production potential. The mass poultry distribution was planned to create awareness and ensure that the inputs reach all parts of the territory. The beneficiaries from the remotest and most isolated villages were given preferences. Farmers from Rutland, Munak, Hanspuri, Afra Bay, Pulopanja, Pulobha, Makachua, Pulo-ulu, Pilopatia, Pilobhabi, Indra Nagar, Dhanni Nallah, Mile Tilak, Kamorta, Shoal Bay and other distant hamlets were among the first beneficiaries in yesterday’s mass distribution of 15,010 poultry chicks across 15 locations. The Secretary reiterated the Department’s commitment for sustained rural economy and nutrition security and will be introducing more farmer friendly schemes to improve egg and meat production in the Islands.
The event was coordinated by Dr. Baljit Kaur, Senior Veterinary Officer (Nicobars), with active support from the Deputy Commissioner (Nicobars), Secretary (CTC) and local Tribal Captains.