Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Giriraj Singh, on his maiden visit to Nagaland, Saturday visited ICAR- National Research Centre (NRC) on Mithun at Jharnapani and College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry at Jalukie, where he inaugurated Veterinary clinical complex and girls hostel.
He was accompanied by R. Khing, Advisor, AH & Veterinary Services and Women Resource Development, and L. Khumo, Advisor Fisheries and Dr. J. K. Jena, Deputy Director General (DDG), Fisheries & Animal Sciences.
Speaking at ICAR-NRC on Mithun, the Union Minister Giriraj Singh described mithun as unique social animal which could play a pivotal role in the economic development of mithun rearing states besides generating employment to educated unemployed youth.
Emphasising on semi-intensive rearing of mithun, Singh said mithun not only provide meat but also a good source of milk and dung.
Earlier, Singh also visited Institute Mithun Farm, Medziphema and interacted with the scientists on various issues such as selection of mithun for improving milk yield, popularization of Artificial Insemination, Embryo transfer Technology.
Also, speaking on the occasion, Dr. J. K. Jena, DDG (Fisheries & AS), ICAR mentioned that ICAR-NRC on Mithun was the only research institute in the world and highlighted the importance of mithun in rural economy.
Dr. Abhijit Mitra, Director, ICAR-NRC on Mithun, stressed on the importance of mithun for social and economic development of the state.
He also raised concern about the non-availability of banking scheme for getting loan for mithun rearing and lack of insurance for mithun husbandry. He said that resolution to include mithun as food animal has been passed from Nagaland Assembly and also been cleared by ICAR but still clearance from FSSAI was pending. He requested the union minister to take some initiative to include mithun as food animal. Dr. Mitra also requested the Minister to include mithun in all the centrally sponsored schemes available for cattle and buffaloes so that mithun farmers could be benefited.
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