|
|
|
You can get e-magazine links on WhatsApp. Click here
|
|
|
|
|
|
Singh inaugurates Entrepreneurship Development Conclave 2025
|
|
Friday, 17 January, 2025, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
|
|
Our Bureau, Mumbai
|
The Entrepreneurship Development Conclave 2025, themed, ‘Empowering Entrepreneurs Transforming Livestock Economics’, held at G.D. Madulkar Natya Griha in Pune. The event was inaugurated by Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, alongside Minister of State S.P. Singh Baghel and George Kurien. Maharashtra’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Pankaja Munde, also graced the occasion.
During the conclave, Singh launched total 40 projects; 20 projects each respectively under the National Livestock Mission (NLM) and the Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF). The ministers visited exhibition stalls, interacted with entrepreneurs, and felicitated top-performing states—Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu for AHIDF, and Karnataka, Telangana, and Madhya Pradesh for the Entrepreneurship Programme. Banks such as Canara Bank, State Bank of India, and HDFC Bank were also recognised for their credit support under these schemes.
The ministers unveiled two compendiums highlighting success stories of AHIDF and NLM beneficiaries, launched the NLM Operational Guidelines 2.0, and a Monitoring Dashboard for the NLM scheme. Additionally, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying declared January 14 to February 13, as ‘Animal Husbandry and Animal Welfare Month’, during which awareness campaigns and educational activities will be conducted nationwide.
In his address, Singh expressed gratitude to Munde and the Maharashtra Government for hosting the conclave. He highlighted the role of animal husbandry in rural economic development, the need for FMD vaccination programmes to achieve ‘FMD Mukt Bharat’, and the creation of nine FMD-free zones, including Maharashtra. He encouraged greater participation in Government entrepreneurship programmes and urged banks to simplify loan processes to support farmers and women entrepreneurs.
He informed that the AHIDF, launched under the Atmanirbhar Bharat Package on June 24, 2020, supports projects in dairy processing, meat processing, feed production, and veterinary infrastructure with an outlay of Rs 17,296 crore, now extended with additional funding and expanded benefits. As of now, 362 projects worth RS 10,356.90 crore have been approved, with Rs 247.69 crore in interest subventions released.
He further stated that NLM-EDP activity under realigned NLM scheme which was launched during 2021, provides 50% capital subsidy up-to Rs 50.00 lakhs for projects in poultry, sheep, goat, pig, camel, and other livestock, as well as feed processing and grading infrastructure. So far, 3,010 projects with a total cost of RS 2,182.52 crore with subsidies amounting to Rs 1,005.87 crore have been approved. The scheme also offers genetic development programmes, feed and fodder initiatives, and livestock insurance with premium subsidies based on state classifications.
In her address, Pankaja Munde emphasised the importance of entrepreneurship for the sector’s growth, productivity enhancement, and requested banks to simplify loan processes for farmers. Kurien praised Pune as an educational hub and highlighted the creation of over 15,000 jobs through AHIDF and NLM.
Baghel advocated for adopting innovative animal husbandry techniques over traditional practices and stressed on the importance of accurate livestock census and better breeding practices.
The event began with remarks from Alka Upadhyaya, secretary, Government of India, who called animal husbandry a ‘sunrise sector’ with vast investment potential. She lauded Maharashtra for its efforts in manufacturing a vaccine for Lumpy Skin Disease and stressed the need for private sector investment, laboratory accreditation, and productivity enhancement.
Key dignitaries, including Shekhar Mundada, chairman of Go-Seva Commission, and several parliamentarians and council members, also attended. The conclave featured two technical sessions: ‘Catalysing Growth in Livestock Sector: Entrepreneurship, Processing, and Opportunities’ and ‘Role of Banks and MSMEs in Livestock Sector & Credit Facilitation’, where experts discussed investment and entrepreneurship opportunities.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|