Hyderabad, June 16 (IANS): Andhra Pradesh is aiming at 20 percent growth in dairy, poultry and meat production during the current year, an official statement said on Tuesday.

Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday held a review meeting with officials and discussed ways to give a fillip to animal husbandry as a growth engine of the primary sector.

He said that the department has the potential to provide employment to one crore people.

According to a statement from the chief minister's office, he set a three-year target to bring animal husbandry and fisheries on par with agriculture and horticulture departments.

Officials informed the chief minister about the plan to increase the department's revenue to Rs.44,241 crore from the current Rs.36,798 crore.

"If we can achieve the target by Sankranti 2016, we will organize animal stalls and competitions," he said.

Stating that Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat are leading in milk production, Naidu directed officials to work towards positioning Andhra Pradesh among high milk producing states.

Sheep farming was also identified as a focus area. It has also been decided to hand over sheep farming units to women from scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, minorities and women thrift groups.

The chief minister also suggested the officials to explore setting up meat processing units and market them to achieve good results.