Investment invited in organic meat: Minister

Strap: Says rising demand offers entrepreneurial opportunities in sector

Ravinder Sood

Palampur, November 13

A three-day international symposium and conference of the Indian Meat Science Association (IMSA) on “Advances in Production, Processing and Quality Assurance of Muscle Foods for Improved Health and Nutritional Security” concluded at CSK HP Agriculture University here recently.

Virender Kanwar, Minister for Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Rural Development, said ever-growing population and the rising meat demand offered new entrepreneurial opportunities in the sector.

He said Himachal has 48 lakh animals and the population of goats and sheep had risen sharply.

He said that animal breed improvement could help in improving animal production and improved goat breeds had been introduced in the state but market linkages were needed. “Investment has been invited in the animal husbandry sector, especially in organic meat production of goat and sheep. “Pahari” cow milk will be marketed under “Gauri” brand. The recommendations of the symposium should reach all stakeholders,” he added.

He said livestock meat production was a promising area for food production, nutritional security and doubling farmers’ income. “Farmer commodity groups should be formed at the grass-roots level to organise meat production and marketing,” he added.

The minister also gave away awards to five scientists. IMSA president Dr SK Mendiratta said during the three-day conference, major recommendations had emerged for a vibrant Indian meat sector to enhance the sustainability of the livestock sector, double farmers’ income and generate employment.

IMSA general secretary Dr M Muthukumar said major recommendations included intensive farming, organic farming, meat value chain, post-harvest processing, artificial intelligence, big data, food safety management system, biotechnology, functional and eco-friendly packaging system, efficient byproduct processing and utilisation.

Dr Mandeep Sharma, dean, Dr GC Negi College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, said the symposium had been successful as useful recommendations had emerged.

Dr Dinesh Krofa and Dr BG Mane, organising secretaries, said around 200 delegates from across the country and four delegates from Nepal and Bangladesh took part in the conference. Besides university statutory officers and scientists, Dr Jagdeep Kumar, Director, Department of Animal Husbandry, and Ashok Sharma, Vice-Chairman, HP Gau Seva Ayog, were also present at the valedictory function.