16,000 youths employed under Maitri yojana so far: Sanjeev Balyan

NEW DELHI: Aiming to attract the young generation to the farm sector, the government said 16,000 youths have been employed so far under the 'Maitri yojana' implemented by the ministry of fisheries, animal husbandry and dairying.

MAITRIs (Multipurpose Artificial Insemination-AI Technicians in Rural India) are being established under the Rashriya Gokul Mission. The purpose is to generate employment for educated youth by training them at accredited AI training institutes. "Out of total 90,598 jobs, 16000 youth have got employment under the Maitri yojana," minister of state for fisheries, animal husbandry and dairying Sanjeev Balyan said in an official statement. The young generation is the backbone of the country and also the nation builders of the future, so empowering today's youth means empowering India's future, he said.

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Balyan further said employment will be given to more than 50 lakh farmers directly and indirectly by the animal husbandry and dairying department. Arrangements are being made to open more than 4,332 mobile veterinary units for the treatment of animals. Under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission, the rearing of native cow breeds is being encouraged, he said.

He also mentioned that the proposed new 'national youth policy' by the ministry of youth affairs and sports is an unprecedented step for holistic development of youth, which envisages "ten years for youth development" which India wants to achieve by 2030. Under this, extensive work is being done in five areas -- education; employment and entrepreneurship; youth leadership and development; health, fitness and sport; and social justice.