Odisha seeks National Kamadhenu Breeding Centre in state

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Jan 12:

The Odisha government has urged the Centre to set up a National Kamadhenu Breeding Centre in the state.

In a letter to Union Agriculture minister Radha Mohan Singh today, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said the Centre has introduced National Kamadhenu Breeding Centre, a centrally sponsored scheme, in the current financial year which will have a major impact in the field of conservation, preservation and development of indigenous bovine breeds in the country.

Apart from upgrading genetic merit of indigenous bovine breeds, the centre will also enhance production and productivity of milch animals, he said.

Justifying his claim for setting up of the Centre in Odisha, Patnaik informed the Union minister that the state has around 1.3 crore of indigenous bovine population of which four indigenous cattle breeds, namely Binjharpuri, Ghumusari, Khariar and Motu and two indigenous buffalo breeds— Chilika buffalo and Kalahandi buffalo—have been notified as registered breeds by the Centre considering their unique characteristics and traits which are not found in other breeds.

“Considering the above, establishment of a centre of excellence in my state will definitely boost the milk production of the state and provide livelihood support to a large number of dairy farmers,” Patnaik said while assuring the Union minister of providing required support as requested by the ministry.