Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 05 August 2025
In a bid to revive the livestock sector and enhance rural livelihoods in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Mr. Bishnu Pada Ray, Hon’ble Member of Parliament, has sought the immediate intervention of the Central Government for the supply of 500 high-yielding Sahiwal and Gir cows to the Islands via cattle ships.
In a letter addressed to Mr. Rajeev Ranjan Singh, Hon’ble Union Minister of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries, with copies to Mr. Sarbananda Sonowal, Hon’ble Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, and the Chief Secretary of the A&N Administration, the MP emphasized the urgent need to rejuvenate the animal husbandry sector in the UT.
Mr. Ray noted that there has been no fresh supply of livestock from the mainland in over three decades. He recalled earlier successful initiatives in the 1970s and during 1992–93, when high-yielding cattle breeds like Jersey and Gir cows were brought from states such as Gujarat, Kerala, Rajasthan, and Haryana. These efforts, he said, had a significant positive impact on the livelihoods of island farmers.
He raised concerns that in the absence of fresh livestock, the Islands have become heavily dependent on artificial insemination and lab-based reproduction techniques, which have shown limited success. The ageing local cattle population, coupled with low reproduction rates, has led to a decline in productivity and growing economic hardship for farmers.
The MP also criticized the lack of scientific leadership in the Animal Husbandry Department, pointing out that administrative officers (DANICS) rather than qualified veterinary scientists have been heading the department until recently. He asserted that this has hindered the effective implementation of both Central and UT-sponsored schemes, leaving many rural development initiatives either unimplemented or poorly executed.
Calling for coordinated action, Mr. Ray urged the Ministry of Animal Husbandry to work with the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways to arrange cattle transportation and ensure the distribution of livestock to eligible farmers, including those in tribal areas, under relevant schemes.
He stressed that such a move would not only strengthen the rural economy but also align with the broader goals of Atmanirbhar Bharat and sustainable development by creating local employment and improving agricultural productivity.
