Vijayawada, May 14: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has unveiled a bold roadmap to revitalise the state’s dairy and livestock economy, pledging tax exemptions, smart tech interventions, and support for over 42 lakh rural families dependent on the sector.
Speaking at the Animal Husbandry-Tech AI 2.0 Conclave, Naidu reaffirmed his government’s commitment to boosting the Animal Husbandry Department, which contributes a significant 11.23% to the state’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP).
“The dairy and livestock sector is not just an economic contributor—it is a rural lifeline. We will ensure it gets the priority it deserves,” Naidu stated.
Key Announcements:
- Exemption of property and house tax for village-level dairy sheds
- Integration of Central schemes and mobile veterinary services online
- Review of ambulance infrastructure for veterinary emergencies
- Deployment of solar power (up to 1,000 units) to support rural animal husbandry
- Distribution of grass-cutting machines to women in dairy cooperatives
- Expansion of micro-irrigation coverage to 2.5 lakh acres
- Linkage with NREGS for water supply and fodder infrastructure
The Chief Minister also confirmed that Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan will work closely with departments to operationalise these initiatives.
Livestock: A Growth Driver for AP
Andhra Pradesh holds top national rankings in livestock-based production:
- #1 in egg production
- #5 in meat production
- #7 in milk production
Naidu highlighted that the livestock GSDP grew from ₹43,127 crore in 2014–15 to ₹91,633 crore in 2018–19, representing a 21% CAGR during the earlier tenure of the TDP government. However, the growth slowed to 11% between 2019–24. The sector earned ₹1.69 lakh crore in 2024–25, and the government has set a target of ₹1.95 lakh crore for 2025–26.
He credited dairy development under the TDP’s previous rule with doubling farmers’ incomes, and pledged to return to that growth path with reforms rooted in inclusivity and sustainability.
AI, Innovation, and Farmer Engagement
Naidu emphasised the integration of Artificial Intelligence in dairy and livestock farming—from tracking animal health to predicting feed needs and optimising breed performance.
During the conclave, he directly interacted with dairy farmers and shepherds, reviewing their income and expenditure trends and seeking feedback on field-level innovation and infrastructure bottlenecks.
Diversifying Through Horticulture
The CM also called for a shift toward high-value horticulture crops, noting that while agriculture across 50 lakh hectares generates ₹55,000 crore, horticulture on just 18 lakh hectares brings in ₹1.55 lakh crore. This suggests a significant opportunity for improving land-use returns through crop diversification.
“If dairy strengthened rural incomes, horticulture will multiply them,” he added.
