Odisha animal husbandry push received a major boost on World Veterinary Day as Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced a series of major projects for veterinary care, dairy farming, poultry and fisheries. At the State Convention Centre, the Chief Minister unveiled new infrastructure and welfare schemes worth more than Rs 277 crore, showing the state government’s strong focus on animal health, farmer income and rural development.
The Chief Minister inaugurated 76 newly built veterinary hospitals and 4 animal welfare centres created at a cost of nearly Rs 100 crore. He also oversaw the signing of a Rs 177 crore MoU with six public sector undertakings for the construction of 219 more veterinary hospitals and disease diagnostic laboratories across Odisha. These projects are expected to improve treatment services, disease control and access to veterinary care in many districts.
A major highlight of the event was the announcement of a modern molecular laboratory worth Rs 10 crore at Phulnakhara in Cuttack. The government also announced a Rs 6 crore upgrade of the state-level animal feed testing laboratory. These steps will help improve testing, disease detection and livestock health management in the state.
Speaking at the event, CM Majhi praised veterinarians for their dedication and compassion. He said veterinarians treat animals that cannot speak and described them as “great souls” and “living gods” for livestock. His words were warmly welcomed by veterinarians, farmers and animal rearers present at the programme.
The Chief Minister also marked the golden jubilee of OPOLFED by launching special marketing centres for brown eggs and the indigenous Aseel chicken breed. He said these centres would help poultry farmers get fair prices for their products and strengthen local poultry business in Odisha.
In one of the biggest announcements of the day, CM Majhi launched the Mukhyamantri Kamadhenu Yojana with an outlay of Rs 1,423 crore. This large scheme aims to benefit more than 15 lakh dairy farmers over the next five years. Under the scheme, farmers can receive up to 70% subsidy for high-yielding milch cows, which can raise milk production and increase rural income.
The Chief Minister also highlighted the Mukhyamantri Prani Kalyan Yojana, under which Rs 33 crore has been allocated for new goshalas, feed, maintenance and animal healthcare. Another important scheme, the Prani Sampada Samriddhi Yojana worth Rs 1,031 crore, will support around 3.73 lakh poultry farming families across the state.
Odisha’s fisheries sector also received major attention. The Chief Minister inaugurated a Rs 50 crore fish landing centre at Kasia in Bhadrak and the upgraded Dhamra fish harbour. These projects are expected to improve fish handling, storage and marketing, while also supporting the livelihoods of thousands of fishermen.
CM Majhi said Odisha has set a long-term target of becoming the fifth-largest egg-producing state in India by 2047. He stressed that the government does not only want to double farmers’ income, but increase it many times through allied sectors like fish farming, goat rearing and backyard poultry.
He also called for a stronger “One Health” approach, which connects animal health, food safety and public health. According to him, Odisha Vision 2036 and 2047 aims to make the state self-reliant in milk, egg and meat production.
In a new initiative, the government will deploy 2,000 trained A-HELP workers, or Community Animal Health Workers, to provide vaccination and basic healthcare services at the doorstep in rural areas. This will make animal healthcare easier to access for villagers and small farmers.
Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Minister Gokulanand Mallick said veterinarians are the first line of defence against zoonotic diseases and are essential for food and health security. The event ended with CM Majhi honouring top veterinarians, progressive livestock rearers and farmers, while urging everyone to work together for a developed and prosperous Odisha.
The announcements made on World Veterinary Day clearly show that Odisha is giving top priority to animal health, farmer welfare and sustainable rural growth. With new hospitals, better labs, stronger schemes and support for fisheries, the state is moving toward a more secure and prosperous future.
