Uttarakhand farmers generate Rs 2.6 crore through direct supply to ITBP

The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) battalions located in the border districts of Uttarakhand, which had previously relied on major cities for supplies of mutton, chicken, and fish, have now entered into direct contracts with local farmers, following the instructions of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.

This collaboration, facilitated by the Uttarakhand Animal Husbandry Department, is proving to be a game-changer for farmers in the region.

In the first five months since the implementation of this scheme, 253 farmers from four border districts have generated a combined business of Rs 2.6 crore with the ITBP.

CM Dhami expressed satisfaction with the scheme’s impact, noting that it has significantly increased the income of farmers, which will also help curb migration from rural areas. "This scheme has yielded very positive results, with an increase in the income of farmers on the border, which will also reduce migration to the villages," Dhami said.

The direct supply model, which officially began with the signing of a contract between the Animal Husbandry Department and the ITBP on October 30, involves farmers from Pithoragarh, Chamoli, Uttarkashi, and Champawat districts. These farmers are now supplying fresh live mutton, chicken, and fish directly to the nearest ITBP battalion. In the first five months of the scheme, 79,530 kg of food products have been supplied, including 42,748 kg of live sheep and goats, 29,407 kg of chicken, and 7,374 kg of trout fish.

Dr. B.V.R.C. Purushottam, Secretary of the Animal Husbandry Department, stated that farmers are paid through Direct Bank Transfers (DBT) within 24 hours of supply. To ensure smooth operations, the department has set up a revolving fund of Rs 5 crore. The ITBP is expected to purchase 800 metric tonnes of mutton, chicken, and fish annually under the scheme, which will generate an estimated turnover of Rs 20 crore for the farmers, significantly improving the livelihoods of marginal farmers in these areas.

Farmers like Narendra Prasad, a poultry farmer from Baralu village in Pithoragarh, have seen substantial benefits. Prasad, who started poultry farming under the Animal Husbandry's Poultry Farming Scheme in 2022-23, now supplies 16 quintals of chicken per month, with three quintals of that going to the ITBP. Similarly, Prakash Kohli from Devdar village, who supplies goat meat to the ITBP, has earned Rs 50,000 from the scheme and is now exploring other opportunities, including applying for the Goat Valley project.

The initiative is seen as a major step towards strengthening the local economy and ensuring a steady supply of fresh food to the ITBP, all while supporting farmers in Uttarakhand's border regions.