The Hindu Business Line : `Focus on animal husbandry, dairying, fisheries to improve rural economy'

Dr Rajasekhara Reddy suggested that bank lending facility should be substantially increased to small and marginal farmers, shepherds and fishermen to improve their living conditions.

Hyderabad , Dec. 11

THE Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, has stressed on the need for formulating a national level focussed approach for the development of sectors such as animal husbandry, dairying and fisheries for strengthening the rural economy.

Dr Reddy was addressing the meeting of the Working Group of the sub-committee of National Development Council (NDC) on Agriculture and Related issues on Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries here on Sunday. The Chief Minister is the Chairman of the Working Group.

Dr Reddy suggested that bank lending facility should be substantially increased to small and marginal farmers, shepherds and fishermen to improve their living conditions.

Expressing unhappiness over the extension work in the field of animal husbandry, Dr Reddy said that epidemics such as blue tongue and foot and mouth, need to be tackled more effectively. The Chief Minister also stressed on the need for providing insurance cover for cattle/sheep loss and wanted the members to concentrate on this aspect while formulating their report.

A press release from the Chief Minister's office said, keeping in view the export potential in meat, poultry products and fisheries, Dr Reddy asked the members to explore opportunities in the export market. He emphasised the need for popularising backyard poultry to supplement the income of rural women.

Stressing the need for providing credit facilities for livestock rearing, the Chief Minister advised the Working Group to examine options to pay compensation and also to bear major portion of the insurance premium to the shepherds who lost their sheep due to blue tongue disease. He also wanted the members to study and recommend new opportunities to improve the income of the fishermen community while protecting the established export-oriented fishery industries.

The Chief Minister has asked the Working Group to submit its interim report on these issues by January-end and come out with the final report by June.

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