Bhubaneswar, March 4 (IANS) Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday said his government is going to formulate a "Small Animal Development Policy", focusing on commercial farming and improvement in production in the state.
"Small animal farming has great potential to directly benefit the poor, who mostly own these animals. It plays an important role in the development of our rural economy as it provides livelihood to small and marginal farmers," said the chief minister while inaugurating a workshop on 'Rural Livelihood through Small Animal Farming' here.
He said Odisha is a good repository of small animal genetic resources.
"Unique goat breeds like Ganjam, Black Bengal and unique sheep breeds like Bolangir and Ganjam are found in the state. Odisha has great potential for development of these sectors and provide sustainable livelihood to the poor and marginal farmers," he added.
The chief minister said the government has collaborated with international agencies such as Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation-funded International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and International Livestock Research Institute for Public-Private-Producer-Partnership for goat and sheep development in the state.
The chief minister also handed over appointment letters to 98 livestock inspectors during this occasion.
