Import rate of meat, milk and egg has come down to Rs. 215 Cr: T R Zeliang

He said this while addressing the first day of state level program on the promotion of pig based integrated farming system jointly organized by Nagaland Pig Farmers Association (NPFA) and Nagaland Development Outreach (NDO) Wednesday here at IMC hall.

He stated that the state government during the last 11th plan period has made attempts by initiating various schemes for the marginal farmers with an aim to enhance their products.

Quoting records, he stated that over the last one and half decades the level of meat productions in the state was “very low” and the import quantum was “very high” with  state spending a “whooping amount” of Rs. 375 crore on import of meat and meat products  as per sample survey of veterinary department, 2000-01.

Pointing out that the quantum of import of animal husbandry product has been reduced from 338.2 MT to 17.10 MT, he said the internal domestic production of meat has also recorded an increasing trend and stands at 67.48 MT which is valued at Rs. 991.95 crore as per sample survey report, 2013-14.

T R Zeliang however said that inspite of the increase in internal domestic productions the challenge before “us” was how to further reduce the import of 17.10 MT valued at Rs. 148.94 crore and become a “self sufficiency state.”

Asserting that effort of veterinary and animal husbandry department alone would not be possible to tackle the challenge, T R Zeliang said it requires consolidated efforts of all groups from marginal livestock farmers to commercial entrepreneurs to zero down 17.10MT in the form of diminishing return.

The minister then asserted that an organization like NPFA would be one of the platforms to help the state in enhancing the productions of not only pork but overall figure of meat productions.

Admitting that, till date, production and marketing of live pigs as well as “table pork” is not well organized amongst local producers, T R Zeliang expressed concern that “very often the supply and price control are dictated by outside suppliers.” Keeping in mind the  “unhealthy system being faced by the Nagas” , he requested NPFA to play a pro-active role and pioneer the healthy and well defined system of production and marketing so that future and upcoming pig farmers or entrepreneur would be encouraged and “huge expenditure” going out of state on meat could be salvage.

In reference to NPFA vision 2020 to be “self sufficient”, T R Zeliang reminded that government and farmers alone could not achieve the vision and asked all agri and allied departments and other agency to join hands to achieve the same for prosperity and to increase state economy.

He further said Nagaland being a secular state there is no restriction on production of any kind of meat and its products and that Nagas should take advantage of the freedom and strive to become a major meat producing state not only for self sufficiency but also for export to other part of the world. 

T R Zeliang also hoped that with sincere efforts and active participation of pig farmers, department of vety.& AH, ICAR time would come when Nagas could patent/brand own pork under the name “Naga Pork”.

The minister then assured that NPF –led DAN government was “fully committed” to enhance meat production in the state and  in providing wholesome meat provided “people are willing to take advantage of the opportunity with outmost sincerity and dedication.”

Earlier, speeches was also delivered by guest of honour director ICAR complex Barapani Dr. S V Ngachan and director NRC pig, Guwahati (Rani) Dr. D K Sharma while keynote address was delivered by director veterinary and animal husbandry Dr. Timothy.