ICAR-National Research Centre on Mithun (NRCM), Medziphema, celebrated its 29th Foundation Day here at its campus Friday with minister of School Education & SCERT, Yitachu Fithu, as chief guest.
Speaking on the occasion, Yitachu remarked that Mithun was a lovely and majestic animal, which has been a part of Naga life.
In the past it has been used even in solving problems within families and villages, he added.
He lauded the pioneers for establishment of the institute, who, he said, worked hard in achieving the meaning of its existence not only in the State, but even beyond the country.
Despite availability of fund under the State Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Department, Yitachu said Mithun rearing has not been able to bring about economic transformation as much as it should have been.
The reason, he said, was mainly because the connection between the government and farmers was based on incentives and subsidy that they receive from the government in which actual farmers were unable to receive subsidies due to their inability to visit government departments.
He called upon ICAR-NRCM to be a centre of passing information and helping the actual farmers to prosper on their own, adding that would fulfil the purpose of the institution. In his message to the farmers, Yitachu said they should not only take the institution to feed “us” through subsidy but work to promote the institution by multiplying the incentives received.
He also suggested that certain policies have to be evolved for Mithun rearing so that Mithun becomes a bank for the farmers for economic upliftment through its meat, milk and other products.
On the occasion, Institute Best Employee Award was given away to Dipal Meitei (administrative cadre), Vizekrol Kikhi (technical cadre), Vacuzo (skilled support staff), Kameshwar Sharma and Akle Dorjee (TSM sadre) by the chief guest.
Earlier, Dr. Abhijit Mitra, director, ICAR-NRCM welcomed the dignitaries and apprised about the achievements of the institute.
The guest of honor, Dr. Chandan Rajkhowa, former director, ICAR-NRCM while sharing his experiences asserted that the mithun has a tremendous potential to transform the lives of tribal population in the NEH region. In the morning dignitaries witnessed the semi-intensive rearing of mithun in the farmer’s field in Molvom village, Medziphema, an initiative of NRCM launched last year.
Farmers and students from the local schools participated in the program. The students’ band of SFS School played beautiful numbers including the national anthem.
A total of 600 orchard saplings were distributed to the farmers from Molvom, Medziphema and Hekeshe villages. Five Mithun heifers were also distributed to the villagers of Midziphema for rearing under the semi-intensive system.
Other dignitaries present at the function were Dr. Lallan Ram, director CIH, Dr. R.C. Gupta, Dean SASRD, Dr. D J Rajkhowa, joint director, ICAR Nagaland Centre, farmers, village leaders, staffs and family of ICAR-NRC Mithun and scientists from Nagaland Centre.
The Programme was coordinated by Dr. M. H. Khan, Dr. S. Mukherjee, Dr. Kezhavituo Vupru, Dr. Kobu Khate, Dr. Sapuni Stephen Hanah and Dr. Lalchamliani.
The programme concluded with vote of thanks by principal scientist NRC on Mithun, Dr. Nazrul Haque.
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