Agartala, March 12, 2025: Stressing the rising demand for pork in the state, Animal Resource Development Minister Sudhangshu Das on Tuesday highlighted the immense potential of pig farming as a viable means to boost economic livelihood among the unemployed. “A significant number of youth have already started pig farming and are generating substantial income,” he stated.

The minister was speaking at a state-level seminar on ‘Pig Diseases with Special Reference to Classical Swine Fever,’ organized by the ARD department at Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhavan here. The event focused on strategies to prevent pig diseases, emphasizing the need for sustainable farming practices to maintain the steady supply of pork in Tripura, where meat consumption stands at approximately 98 percent.

Highlighting the importance of disease prevention in pig farming, Minister Das remarked, “Prevention is key to protecting livestock and ensuring sustainable farming. This seminar was organized to address these concerns while maintaining a stable pork supply in the state.”

The minister also pointed out that pig farming offers significant employment opportunities, particularly for the state’s unemployed youth. Expressing optimism about the sector’s growth, he added, “Our goal for the new financial year is to prepare 20 to 30 successful entrepreneurs in each block.” He further mentioned that district-level directives had been issued to deputy directors to ensure these targets are met.

Urging the youth to explore pig farming as a sustainable career option, Minister Das said, “This is not just about farming; it’s about creating livelihoods and empowering individuals.” He invited aspiring entrepreneurs to participate in the initiative, reinforcing the government’s commitment to supporting sustainable livestock farming and fostering entrepreneurship at the grassroots level.