PM takes stock of demand in protein-rich food items

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in one his familiarisation meetings on Wednesday, was apprised of the need to meet the growing demand of animal protein-rich food.

 A senior agriculture ministry official said that the meeting with the prime minister was to give presentation on various issues dealt by the department so that he get familiar with their working.

Some of the ministry department could not get chance to brief Modi. The department of animal husbandry gave a presentation highlighting the need to bridge the gap between demand and supply in animal protein-rich food such as milk, egg and fish which has widened due to a variety of reasons including paucity of fertilisers and growing food inflation which is unlikely to soften up due to the failing monsoon.

“In today’s meeting, only two departments – animal husbandry and fertiliser – made presentations. Our departments will make presentations next time,” Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said after the meeting was over. 

Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh, Water Resources Minister Uma Bharti and Fertiliser Minister Ananth Kumar too were present at 7 RCR for the meeting with Modi. 

In its presentation the animal husbandry department pitched for promoting artificial insemination among other technologies to boost animal protein yields and ensuring adequate fodder for animals.