Odisha Minister inaugurates Regional Poultry Conference in Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar, Oct 9: Regional Poultry Conference of Eastern States was organized by Fishers and Animal Resources Development Department in collaboration with Odisha Poultry Association at hotel The New Marion, here today on the occasion of World Egg Day. Odisha Minister for Agriculture, F &ARD, Pradeep Maharathy graced the occasion as chief guest. Maharathy inaugurated the Regional Poultry Conference.
World Egg Day is a unique opportunity to help raise awareness of the benefits of the eggs. Many countries across the world have been celebrating the day. World Egg Day was established at the International Egg Commission Vienna 1996 conference when it was decided to celebrate the day on the second Friday in the month of October each year.
Speaking the occasion, Minister Pradeep Maharathy said “I am extremely glasd that we are celebrating World Egg Day in Bhubneswar with guests from four eastern states, Chhattisgarh, West Begnal, Jharkhand and Odisha. I welcome all the delegates attending the Regional Poultry Conference. I am happy the government of India has selected Odisha as venue to host this conference. This will help to boost poultry sector in India.”
He said that India is the 3rd egg producing country in the world and eastern states – Chhattisgarh, Odisha, West Bengal and Jharkhand together contribute about 13 per cent of total egg production. There is lot of potential growth for poultry industry in eastern India, he added.
The Minister said that Odisha government has approved a new Poultry Policy on 29th September 2015 to boost the sector. Odisha has declared poultry as agriculture since 2005, he said.
Maharathi said “Odisha government has been providing incentives like lower electricity tariff, exemption of VAT on Maize and broken rice to boost the poultry sector. There is upper cap of Rs 75 lakh for establishment of poultry layer farm and Rs 50 lakh for establishment of poultry farm available towards Capital Investment Subsidy under State Agriculture Policy-2013. We are also opening chiken fresh outlest in ubran areas for the marketing of poultry products.”
Chief Secretary, Gokul Chandra Pati, Development Commissioner-cum- Aditional Chief Secretary, Upendra Nath Behera, Additional Chief Secretary of Finance, R. Balakrishnan, Agriculture Principal Secretary, Rajesh Verma and Commissioner-cum-Secretary of Fisheries and Animal Resources Development, Bishnupada Sethi were graced the occasion as guest of honour. The director of AH & VS, Odisha has proposed vote of thanks.