Coinciding with “World Veterinary Day”, ICAR-National Research on Mithun (NRCM), Jharnapani on April 30 launched an alternative semi-intensive system of mithun rearing in the fields of Molvom village, Medziphema block, Dimapur.
Launching the program, deputy director general (Animal Science), ICAR, Krishi Bhavan, New Delhi, Dr. H. Rahman, stated that though it was traditionally believed that mithun could be reared successfully only under free-range forest rearing system, with the decreasing forest coverage in the region, it was becoming imperative to find an alternative rearing system. He also urged that such initiative should be replicated in other parts of the region.
Director of the institute, Dr. Abhijit Mitra, informed that ICAR-NRC on mithun already demonstrated the package of practices for semi-intensive mithun rearing system successfully in the institute’s Mithun farm at Medziphema.
In order to demonstrate the alternative mithun rearing system in the farmer’s field, NRCM, under Tribal Sub-plan (TSP), distributed nine mithuns and one calf among three farmers of Molvon village, Laljon Misao, Letthang and Veikhochong.
Dr. Mitra further emphasized the importance of mithun rearing under semi-intensive system for income generation, which would lead to upliftment of socio-economic conditions of the farmers.
He noted that though mithun was primarily used for meat, ‘m’ also stands for milk, money and “maiki’’ for marriages.
Molvom village being adopted village of Nagaland Centre of ICAR-Research complex of NEH, the technologies developed by the Nagaland Centre were also showcased during the programme.
Head GB Molvom village Alet Misao said being considered for the unique project was a proud moment for the 75 years old village.