Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 31 January 2025
The Andaman and Nicobar Territorial Congress Committee (ANTCC) President, Mr. Rangalal Halder, has urged the administration to take immediate action regarding the prolonged non-functionality of the Liquid Nitrogen Plant of the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services (AH & VS) Department. In a letter to the Chief Secretary, he highlighted the urgent need for repairs and called for measures to address the acute shortage of semen straws crucial for livestock breeding in the region.
Mr. Halder pointed out that the Liquid Nitrogen Plant has remained non-operational for over a year due to pending repairs and maintenance, significantly affecting artificial insemination programs. The resulting shortage of semen straws has had a direct impact on livestock productivity and genetic quality in cattle, posing serious concerns for the farming community.
The ANTCC President raised several key issues linked to the crisis, including the stagnation of livestock breeding programs, financial hardships faced by farmers, a decline in milk supply leading to nutritional concerns, and potential health complications in cattle due to the disruption in breeding services.
As an interim solution, Mr. Halder proposed procuring liquid nitrogen and semen straws from other regions to prevent further setbacks in the livestock breeding programs until the plant is fully functional.
Reiterating his appeal, he urged the administration to address this crisis without delay, ensuring the welfare of farmers, the sustainability of the livestock sector, and the stability of the local dairy industry in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.