The director of animal breeding T. Damodar Naida will appeal to the media in Vijayawada on Friday. | Photo Credit: KVS Giri
The industry and poultry industry in Andhra Pradesh is determined for significant support after a recent reduction in goods and services (GST). Officials claim that these changes will support new investments, create opportunities for entrepreneurs, and strengthen the industry that already contributes 12.17% to the gross annual product of the state and is 1.61 lakh crore every year.
Reaching media on Friday at a press conference on the topic of “seasonal diseases – cattle care and poultry”, the director of animal breeding T. Damodar Naid said that GST on dairy products was reduced to zero, while cattle feed and agricultural mechanization are now falling below 5% album. “These decisions provide larger incentives for farmers and entrepreneurs of poultry and help the industry expand faster,” he said.
Andhra Pradesh leads the nation in this sector, the first in the production of eggs, the second in sheep and poultry population, fourth in meat production and fifth in milk production. Almost 25 lakh families in the state depend on their livelihood on animal breeding.
Dr. Naida explained that government subsidies play a key role in this growth. Farmers benefit from 50% of cattle subsidies, 75% for feed seeds, 85% for livestock insurance and up to 90% on the schemes of housing cattle established with NREGA support. There are plans to expand the cultivation of feed to three lakh acres, the introduction of kindergartens in each mandala and accessible silage easily accessible, ensuring the safety of feed during the summer months.
Dr. Naida emphasized innovations and said the state promotes sperm technology with a 50% subsidy. “This allows farmers to produce female calves with up to 90% accuracy, increasing milk productivity and farm income,” he explained. During 2025–26, 10 lakh doses of artificial insemination will be distributed to 9,326 centers. The mobile veterinary clinic – 340 vehicles modeled on the ambulance 104/108 – also address farmers at their door.
When it comes to poultry health, Dr. Naidu explained that the recent death of poultry in the district of Vizianagaram was not caused by bird flu. Laboratory tests in VBRI, Vijayawada, confirmed the cause such as inclusion of physical hepatitis (IBH) and Ranicikhet’s disease (RD). He assured that measures for biological safety were introduced and that nationwide supervision of bird flu continues.
The department also took steps to control stray dogs in municipalities through partnerships of NGOs, while Rabies vaccines remain available in veterinary hospitals. Advanced breeding programs, embryo transmission technologies and genetic improvements further increase milk productivity.
Published – September 2025 20:55
