Need to make cattle trade fairs biannual affair in Bilaspur: Minister

For the benefit of livestock breeders and traders in the district, cattle trade fairs need to made a biannual event, said Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani while addressing at a state-level Nalwari Fair meeting at the Bachat Bhavan in Bilaspur on Tuesday.

Dharmani directed the Deputy Commissioner to convene a meeting with local animal traders, breeders and departmental officers. He said that these events would provide a platform for the purchase and sale animals, ensuring access to high-quality dairy breeds locally. The objective was to formulate an effective action plan based on suggestions received, giving shape to this initiative swiftly.

He said that cattle trade fairs form the backbone of the rural economy. They not only offered opportunities to buy and sell superior breeds of cows, buffaloes and goats but also served as platforms for modern animal husbandry techniques, vaccination, breed improvement and scientific management and exposure to the latest farm tools as well.

Dharmani said that local breeders travel to other states for high-yield dairy animals while hosting fairs in the district would benefit farmers, breeders and traders alike, generating new employment opportunities and strengthening livestock-based rural economies.

The minister instructed the authorities concerned to identify suitable venues with basic amenities and focus on animal health camps, vaccinations, health checks, hygiene, drinking water, security and traffic management.

Dharmani said that the state government was poised to energise the rural economy through livestock rearing, positioning Bilaspur as an organised and reliable hub of live stock trading.