Bhubaneswar, Jan 21 (NationPress) Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi issued a strong warning to cattle smugglers in the state, urging them to cease all activities related to cow smuggling or face severe consequences.

This warning was part of his speech at the inaugural ceremony of the three-day Matsya-Pranee Samavesh Odisha (MPSO-2026) conclave held in Bhubaneswar.

In his address, CM Majhi encouraged Odisha's farmers, the majority of whom are small and marginal, to engage in fish farming, dairy farming, and animal husbandry.

“With the growing population, agricultural land is expected to diminish further. Hence, alongside traditional farming, it is crucial for farmers to invest in fish farming, dairy farming, and animal husbandry. The government has launched various schemes to assist them,” stated the Chief Minister.

He underscored the government’s flagship initiative, Mukhyamantri Kamadhenu Yojana, which has an estimated budget of Rs 1,400 crore. Under this program, farmers receive financial assistance of up to 70 percent to promote the breeding of high-yield cross-bred cows and buffaloes.

To date, approximately Rs 262 crore has been disbursed to 4.73 lakh beneficiaries through this scheme. CM Majhi noted that milk production in the state has risen by 1.35 lakh litres in the past 18 months.

Thanks to an artificial insemination program utilizing sex-sorted semen to ensure the birth of female calves, 2.30 lakh cattle rearers have benefitted. CM Majhi remarked that the average income of farming families has surpassed Rs 61,000, attributed to effective implementation of programs like Samruddha Krushak Yojana, PM-Kisan, CM-Kisan schemes, and Subhadra Yojana.

The government is committed to achieving self-sufficiency in fish, meat, poultry, and eggs. Currently, Odisha ranks fourth in fish production, with ongoing efforts to secure the top position.