Bhubaneswar, April 30: World Veterinary Day-2022 has been observed in the state with an objective to create awareness among people on animal health care, animal welfare and animal husbandry activities.

Every year, World Veterinary Day is being observed on the last Saturday of April and this year it has been observed with the theme ‘Strengthening Veterinary Resilience’.  The state level observations were made at Krushi Bhawan, Bhubaneswar and participants from districts joined through virtual mode.

Minister, Fisheries and Animal Resources Development, Arun Kumar Sahoo stated that the State Government has taken a number of measures for the development of livestock and animal husbandry sectors which has been identified as one of the growth engine for farmers, women self-help groups and entrepreneurs in the state.

Milk production in the state has increased around threefold during the last two decades from 8.75 lakh metric tons in the year 2000 to over 23.73 lakh metric tons in 2021. Meat production has increased around six-fold during the last 20 years from 38.38 thousand metric tons in the year 2000 to 213.09 thousand metric tons in the year 2021. Egg production during this period has increased around threefold from 7301 .04 lakh eggs in the year 2000 to 24242.67 lakh eggs in the year 2021.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Secretary Suresh Chandra Mahapatra highlighted the key role of hundreds of veterinarians, para vets and support staff in animal health care, animal welfare and animal husbandry activities. The State Government has launched numerous entrepreneurial schemes in the allied sector wherein subsidy is provided for setting up of new commercial and semi commercial broiler, layer and goat rearing.