Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has said that the fisheries and livestock sector is the engine of growth for rural areas of the State.
Mr.Patnaik while addressing new recruits in the Fisheries and Animal Resource Development Department at an orientation function the said that the state is an agriculturally dominant state and more than 70 percent of people in its rural areas are engaged in various agricultural activities. V K Pandian, Secretary to CM graced the occasion.
“Most of them supplement their income through animal husbandry and fisheries. The state government is making continuous efforts to make the life of these farmers more comfortable, increase their income and put a smile on their faces,” CM said.
CM Mr.Patnaik said that is why the fisheries and livestock development sector has been identified by the state government as an engine of growth for farmers, women self-help groups and entrepreneurs, he said.
The Chief Minister said that the fisheries and livestock sector has a special role to play in meeting the protein calorie requirements of the people in rural areas, providing nutrition and above all food security.
“Therefore, the officers of this department should realize how important their responsibilities are,” he said.
Emphasizing on 5T initiatives, the Chief Minister said that by maintaining complete transparency, working in team spirit and application of scientific knowledge, real change can be ensured at the grass root level and pave the way for fisheries and livestock development.
He hoped that the newly appointed employees would maintain integrity and work with dedication.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister of Fisheries and Animal Resource Development Ranendra Pratap Swain said that due to the visionary leadership of the Chief Minister, livestock production has increased in the State today.
He said that in the last 20 years, milk production in the state has increased three times, meat production six times, eggs three times and fish production four times and hoped that this new appointment would bring happiness and change in the lives of farmers engaged in animal husbandry and fish production in the state.
Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mohapatra said that the Chief Minister has attached importance to the recruitment program in the state.
He said that thousands of youth are being recruited every month by various departments in the state and more economic growth is happening in rural areas due to development in related sectors