Dr. Chandra Bhushan Kumar Launches Pilot Project ‘Pashu Pushti Kit’
Sri Vijaya Puram, Dec. 16: In a significant step towards enhancing livestock productivity and improving the livelihood of dairy farmers in the remote areas of the Islands, Dr. Chandra Bhushan Kumar, IAS, Chief Secretary, A&N Administration, today virtually launched the pilot project of “Pashu Pushti Kit” – a specially designed nutritional supplementary kit for dairy animals – at Nabagram Village in Diglipur Tehsil, North & Middle Andaman.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Secretary appreciated the innovative approach of the Department and emphasised that successful implementation of the pilot would pave the way for expansion to all milk-producing villages across the islands. He directed that financial benefits arising from improved milk quality and quantity be passed on directly to the farmers.
The initiative, conceptualised and implemented by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, directly addresses malnutrition-related infertility in cattle, which has emerged as a major constraint to milk production in the Islands. Extensive field surveys conducted through 168 mass infertility treatment camps between June and September 2025 revealed that malnutrition accounts for nearly 24 percent of infertility cases among the examined animals, with the problem being particularly acute in North & Middle Andaman where 47.75 percent of cases were linked to nutritional deficiency compared to 26 percent in South Andaman.
Out of 4,917 animals examined across 174 villages in North, Middle and South Andaman as well as Campbell Bay, 1,140 cases were attributed to malnutrition. The Department estimates that treating infertility through improved nutrition can add an impressive 15 lakh litres of milk annually to the islands’ current production of 17.61 metric tonnes.
The “Pashu Pushti Kit”, prepared utilising existing stock of quality supplements, contains chelated mineral mixture, mineral blocks for licking, ayurvedic stomachic and appetite stimulant powder, probiotic or liver tonic, protein extract or calcium supplement, and concentrated feed as a base for mixing. Each kit, costing approximately Rs 210 excluding stock medicines, is expected to correct nutritional deficiencies, bring infertile cows back into the production cycle, increase the number of milch animals and significantly enhance both milk yield and quality.
Nabagram Village was selected for the pilot launch because of its remote location, limited access to concentrate feed and supplements, substantial breedable cattle population of around 191, and the presence of 89 farmers already supplying milk to ANIIDCO, which will enable precise monitoring of results through daily milk collection data.
The Department of AH&VS thanked the Chief Secretary for his continued support to livestock development programmes and reiterated its commitment to making dairy farming more remunerative and sustainable for the rural population of Andaman & Nicobar Islands.