Animal Husbandry, Veterinary & Dairy Development Minister Gabriel D. Wangsu has emphasized the importance of accurate ground-level data in the farming sector, stating that incorrect reporting often leads to poor planning and implementation. He made this statement while addressing officials at the DVOs conference-cum-review meeting organised by the department of animal husbandry, veterinary & dairy development in Itanagar on Wednesday.
Wangsu directed officers to take livestock census activities seriously and identify genuine and trained farmers to ensure that government assistance reaches deserving beneficiaries. He also stressed the need for handholding and monitoring trained aspirants even after completion of training programmes. The minister highlighted infrastructure development as a priority area and assured officers that he would work towards securing adequate funds for new infrastructure development.
He announced that well-performing districts would receive priority support from the government. Wangsu urged officers to maintain clarity in their work and communication, stating that departmental personnel must be well-informed and confident to effectively guide farmers. He noted that dairy farming remains a relatively new concept for many tribal communities, making awareness and motivation efforts even more important.
The minister called for innovative and out-of-the-box approaches to sectoral development and advised against establishing new veterinary dispensaries and facilities in areas where they are not required. He directed officers to identify locations lacking suitable land for such establishments and stressed the need to encourage trained youths and progressive farmers to form Dairy Cooperative Societies. Wangsu highlighted the importance of fodder development and directed officers to earmark adequate land for fodder cultivation.
He informed the gathering that a state fodder policy would be drafted soon and said ensuring sufficient fodder resources would be crucial for the growth of the livestock sector. The minister expressed optimism about the future of the department and said the goal should not merely be growth but overall prosperity of the animal husbandry sector. He also emphasised the importance of strengthening inter-departmental cooperation to achieve long-term objectives and assured officers of his full support in addressing departmental concerns and challenges.
During the meeting, AHV&DD secretary YVVJ Rajshekhar gave a detailed presentation highlighting the department’s achievements, gaps, challenges, and areas requiring intervention in the livestock sector. This was followed by district-wise presentations by DVOs and nodal officers on the performance of their respective districts. MLA and minister’s advisor Talem Taboh expressed concern over the encroachment of departmental land by private individuals and advised the department to utilise its available land resources effectively to prevent future encroachments.
He proposed constituting committees headed by the respective ADCs, with departmental officers as members, to address land-related issues. Taboh also suggested linking youths trained under the ‘Catch Them Young’ initiative with government support schemes such as Atmanirbhar Yojana. The meeting was attended by veterinary director Dr. Danjan Longri, joint directors Dr. Taba Heli and Dr. Talo Taggu, district veterinary officers (DVOs), and nodal officers from across the state.
