In a decisive move to strengthen the rural economy and accelerate agricultural growth, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary has initiated a major strategic push for the state's dairy and fisheries sectors. Reviewing the operational dynamics of the Animal and Fisheries Resources Department, Choudhary issued strict directives to scale up Bihar's daily milk production to an ambitious target of over one crore (10 million) litres. He also emphasized the urgent need to make Bihar completely self-reliant in fish production, outlining a comprehensive roadmap to maximize local employment opportunities and enhance farmers' incomes across all 38 districts.Strengthening COMFED and Reaching Every Village Panchayat To achieve this massive dairy target, the Deputy Chief Minister has ordered a structural expansion of the Bihar State Milk Co-operative Federation (COMFED), popularly known for its 'Sudha' brand. Choudhary instructed top administrative officials to ensure that dairy cooperative societies are actively established in every single village panchayat across Bihar. The government intends to provide small and marginal cattle rearers with direct market access, eliminating exploitative middlemen. By expanding the collection infrastructure and cold-chain networks, the administration aims to tap into the unorganized dairy sector, transforming Bihar into a leading milk-surplus state in Eastern India.Targeting Total Self-Reliance in Fish Farming and Aquaculture Addressing the fisheries sector, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary noted that despite abundant natural water bodies, wetlands, and rivers, Bihar still relies on fish imports from other states to meet its high domestic demand. To correct this imbalance, Choudhary ordered the department to implement advanced aquaculture techniques, such as biofloc technology and cage culture, on a large scale. The government will identify underutilized ponds, reservoirs, and waterlogged areas across districts to convert them into highly productive fish-farming hubs. This initiative is expected to not only fulfill local dietary demands but also position Bihar as a key exporter of sweet-water fish to neighboring states.Subsidies, Financial Aid, and Technical Training for Youth The blueprint unveiled by the state government places a heavy emphasis on empowering rural youth and women through entrepreneurship. The Animal and Fisheries Resources Department has been directed to design simplified subsidy schemes for setting up modern dairy farms, purchasing high-yielding cattle breeds, and constructing new fish ponds. Furthermore, the government plans to establish specialized training camps at the block level to educate farmers on cattle healthcare, high-quality feed management, and scientific fish breeding techniques. Financial assistance will be seamlessly integrated with banking institutions to ensure hassle-free loan approvals for budding agri-entrepreneurs.Strict Monitoring of Timely Project Implementation During the high-level review meeting, which saw participation from senior bureaucrats and departmental secretaries, Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary warned against any administrative complacency or structural delays. He instituted a mandatory monthly review mechanism to track the progress of panchayat-level dairy cooperative formations and aquaculture allocations. Choudhary asserted that the holistic development of the animal husbandry and fisheries sectors is paramount to eradicating rural poverty and checked migration, ensuring that the benefits of Bihar's economic growth reach the grassroots level effectively.
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