Odisha to have India's first 'Animal Blood Bank'

Bhubaneswar: Odisha will have India's first blood bank for animals. The blood bank will be established on the premises of Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT) at an estimated cost of Rs 3.25 crore.

At a function in OUAT here on Tuesday, VC Surendra Nath Pasupalak said the institution had earlier submitted a proposal for the blood bank under the National Agriculture Development Programme (NADP). After getting the go ahead from NADP, OUAT is now awaiting approval from the State government for the ambitious project, he added.

"The blood bank will be established in the Teaching veterinary clinical complex of OUAT. The project, which is to come up at an estimated cost of Rs 3.25 crore, will have a 60:40 sharing between the Centre and the State government,” said the VC.

Earlier, speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said the State government has been working for the all-round development of farmers and is far ahead among its counterparts in strengthening the agricultural sector and ensuring welfare of the farmers.

“Agriculture is our priority and our policies have been farmer-centric. I am glad that more and more agri professionals are joining the government to work in this sector. This will give a new impetus to our agricultural development,” said Patnaik.

As many as 76 newly recruited Additional Soil Conservation Officers (ASCOs) received appointment letters from the CM at the event. Agriculture Minister Damodar Rout also attended the programme.