Tech interventions will boost the morale of mithun reares

National Research Centre (NRC) on Mithun and Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) Phek organized a technology injection cum input distribution programme at Yisisotha village, Phek district December 21.
The programme, inaugurated by parliamentary secretary for veterinary & animal husbandry Yitachu, was attended by 105 mithun rearers of five villages – Yisisotha, Weizo, Hutsu, Shatuza and Molar.
A team comprising Dr. R. K. Singh, Dr. V. Singh, Dr. A. Kumar and Dr. D. Borkotoky from NRC on Mithun and KVK Phek elaborated the farmer friendly technologies developed by the institute and also demonstrated its applicability to the farmers.
Nagaland department of veterinary & animal husbandry actively participated in the programme and assured for continuing collaborative effort with NRC on Mithun for developing livestock sector in the region.
Speaking on occasion, parliamentary secretary Yitachu asserted the region had potential and that technological interventions would certainly boost the morale of the mithun reares and improve their economic status.
He said the region was remotely located and it becomes difficult to have timely interventions, which adversely affects the productivity.
Parliamentary secretary suggested the KVK Phek to establish an extension center in this region so the problems of the farming community may be addressed timely.
Veterinary & animal husbandry director Dr. Timothy Lotha, who chaired the programme, expressed his happiness over the efforts to organize such programmes in a far-flung corner of the state. He said the department’s manpower and technological support of NRC on Mithun would certainly help in contending the present crisis of mithun reares and efforts would uplift the socio-economy of the farmers.
Team of the scientists demonstrated the use of ear tags, castrator and common healthcare medicines. NRC also provided mineral mixture and gumboots to mithun rearing society. Vaccines and medicines were handed over to the Chairman of mithun rears society for judicious use under the supervision of veterinary department professionals.
Mithun rearing does not provide option for regular income, so in order to insure this, 1200 nos. of dual purpose backyard poultry Vanraja was also provided to mithun reares.
Farmers have cleared their doubts regarding various aspects of livestock farming during scientists-farmers interaction. The programme concluded with the vote of thanks by V&AH joint director Dr. R. T. Ezung. Mithun farmers expressed gratitude to NRC on Mithun director and veterinary and animal husbandry department for carrying out the programme.
Pochuries, the inhabitants of Meluri subdivision of Phek district have rich culture and traditions and they are maintaining mithuns in the natural forest ranges, since time immemorial.
Earlier many of the villagers were maintaining large herds of mithun, but owing to population pressure, and shrinkage of rearing ranges, there is slow but continuous decrease in the herd size in the region.
Moreover, the sporadic cases of occurrence of diseases resulting economic losses to mithun owner is also a deterrent factor and farmers are distracting from this age old tradition. The Technological interventions developed by the National Research Centre on Mithun may help in maintaining more number of mithun in the same ranges as well as help in minimizing losses owing to diseases and mortalities.