Jharnapani, June 2 (MExN): ICAR-National Research Centre on Mithun celebrated 28th Foundation Day at Jharnapani campus on June 2. The day-long programme started with the plantation of tree saplings and laying the foundation of Central Instrument Facility-cum-Museum by the chief guest Dr. K.M Bujarbaruah, Vice Chancellor, AAU, Assam and other dignitaries.
Large numbers of farmers from Nagaland, Meghalaya, and school students participated in the programme. The student band of SFS School played songs including the national anthem. A Farmer-Scientist interaction was also organized where queries of farmers on Animal husbandry and agricultural practices were addressed by the scientists of NRC Mithun, Nagaland Center of ICAR-RCNEHR and SASRD.
The Director of the institute, Dr. Abhijit Mitra, welcomed all the dignitaries and apprised about the achievements of the institute. The guest of honor, Dr. B.C.Deka, Director, ATARI, Umiam , Barapani, Meghalaya emphasized the role of KVK in the popularization of mithun.
Dr. K.M Bujarbaruah, Vice Chancellor, AAU, in his foundation day lecture entitled “Livestock Development in North-East Region with special Reference to Mithun” highlighted the gap between the production and demands of meat, milk and egg in the North-Eastern region. He pointed out that the average per capita availability of these produces are much below the national average and suggested various contingent plans including the establishment of adequate numbers of livestock and poultry farms in the NEH states. He further suggested that mithun can play a significant role in bridging the shortfall provided mithun rearing is considered as an integrated farming system for better economic returns and sustainability. He urged that the time has come to establish the Livestock board for NEH with sufficient funding to give impetus to the livestock sector.
On this occasion, a special drive, for the popularization and increasing the awareness about the scientific mithun rearing and role of mithun in forest conservation, launched by distributing specially designed T-shirts depicting and pasting stickers on the vehicles plying on NH 39. For motivating the employees’ letters of appreciation and trophies were given. In commemorating the upcoming World Environment Day to be observed on June 5, 500 tree saplings were distributed to SFS School, C.B.M. School and the Chairman of Ward-5 of Medziphema village.
Other dignitaries present at the function were Dr. Viral Yore, Additional Director, Dept of Vety & AH, Govt. of Nagaland, Dr. K David Sema, President, Nagaland State Veterinary Association, Dr. V. Meicheo, CVO, Kohima, Dr D J Rajkhowa, Joint Director ICAR Nagaland Centre, Dr R C Gupta Dean SASRD. The programme concluded with vote of thanks by Dr. S. Mukherjee, Principal Scientist NRC on Mithun.
