Agartala: Tripura has become the second-largest producer of milk in the northeast , reflecting the impact of sustained investments in dairy development, veterinary care and livestock services, said the state’s minister for Animal Resource Development (ARD) and Fisheries, Sudhangshu Das.Das said the ARD department utilised 97.3% of its budget in 2025-26 and has received a 23.33% increase for 2026-27 to strengthen the sector. The department is targeting higher production of milk, eggs and meat, alongside upgrades to veterinary facilities and efforts to promote livestock farming as a reliable source of rural income.As part of infrastructure expansion, Tripura has launched a 40,000-litre-per-day milk processing plant at Bamutia near Agartala. A liquid nitrogen production facility started operations at RK Nagar, with similar plants being set up at Udaipur and Kumarghat to support artificial insemination and reduce dependence on external supplies.Das said the department has entered into a tripartite agreement with the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and Gomati Milk Union under the White Revolution 2.0 initiative to strengthen dairy cooperatives and improve farmers’ earnings.He added that the govt has expanded fodder production, supported backyard poultry and duck farming, provided insurance coverage to over 16,000 livestock, and extended financial assistance and compensation to livestock owners. New veterinary hospitals, dispensaries, sub-centres and pharmacies have also been established to widen animal healthcare services.During 2025-26, veterinary services across the state treated and provided preventive care to nearly 63.97 lakh livestock and poultry, Das said. Over 11.84 lakh animals were vaccinated against foot-and- mouth disease, and more than 80 lakh poultry birds were vaccinated against various diseases.To improve access to services, 13 Mobile Veterinary Units are operating, and the state plans to add 50 Mini Mobile Veterinary Units. Emergency veterinary support is available through the Bharat Sanjeevani toll-free helpline, Das said.He said more than 1.23 lakh artificial insemination procedures were conducted in the last financial year. The use of sex-sorted semen led to over 37,300 calves being born, most of them female, which he said is expected to significantly raise milk production in the coming years.
