The announcement was made during the second high-level DoNER meeting chaired by Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, where Dr. Saha also emphasized the need for a modern animal disease detection laboratory in the state.
The Chief Minister stressed that animal husbandry and fisheries are crucial to the economic and nutritional security of Tripura. Highlighting the 2023–24 shortfall in per capita food availability, he reiterated his government's resolve to close the gap through scientific interventions and inclusive development.
Key initiatives under the INR 431.71 crore proposal include:
Promotion of artificial insemination using sex-sorted semen to boost milk yield
Strengthening of dairy cooperatives
Financial incentives for women in poultry farming
Support for entrepreneurs under the National Livestock Mission
On the fisheries front, Dr. Saha revealed that the state has also submitted a separate INR 816.5 crore proposal to the NEC for making Tripura self-reliant in fish production. This includes support for other northeastern states and is being implemented via the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and Chief Minister Matsya Vikas Yojana.
Over the last five years, Tripura has invested around INR 50 crore from the state budget and INR 76.4 crore under PMMSY to expand water bodies and enhance fish productivity.
With a combined funding request of over INR 1,248 crore, Tripura is positioning itself as a key agri-protein hub in the Northeast, aiming to meet rising regional nutritional demands while catalyzing rural income and entrepreneurship.