Medziphema, June 2 (MExN): The ICAR-NRC on Mithun (NRCM), Medziphema celebrated its three decades of its existence on June 2 at Medziphema campus.
R. Khing, Advisor, Veterinary and Animal Husbandry, Government of Nagaland chaired the celebration. In his foundation day lecture, Khing congratulated the staffs and scientists of ICAR-NRCM for the journey of 30 years. He added that mithun is not only considered a pride of the tribals but it plays an important role in the social, cultural and economic life of the local tribal population. Shri Khing applauded the efforts of the Institute for the dissemination of technologies among the farmers of NE hilly states.
Dr. Chandan Rajkhowa, former Director of the institute, who graced the programme as guest of honour, recalled his long association of nearly 12 years with the Institute and said that mithun farming plays a great role in the economic upliftment and provide economic relief to the poor farmers at the time of exigencies.
M.K Mero, Principal Secretary, Department of Veterinary & Animal Husbandry, Government of Nagaland stressed on the improvement of mithun husbandry through the support of banking schemes and assured full support of his department towards the development of mithun farming. He raised his concern about the shrinking forest cover in the region which is adversely affecting Mithun rearing in the region and advocated the synergistic approach in mithun husbandry and forest conservation.
Dr. Capt. G. DhananJaya Rao Dean, College of Veterinary Science & AH, Jalukie; Dr. Dr. Aomangyang Walling Director, Department of Veterinary &AH, Government of Nagaland, Dr. Kiba. MD, NLDB and the Scientists from Nagaland Centre of ICAR-RCNERH, CoVS, Jalukie and state government officials from Nagaland also graced the occasion.
Earlier, Dr. Abhijit Mitra, Director, ICAR-NRC on Mithun welcomed the dignitaries and participants and presented an overview of 30 years of the journey since its inception. He highlighted that mithun is becoming multipurpose animal because besides meat it also gives milk, highly priced skin, and it has got tremendous work power for draught purpose. He apprised the house about the recent initiatives of the institute in registering mithun as a food animal under FSSAI, developing a bankable scheme for mithun husbandry and popularizing semi-intensive mithun rearing.
Besides other progressive farmers, 55 mithun farmers from the States of Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur also attended the programme. A Band of SFS Higher Secondary School, Medziphema played the National Anthem.
On this occasion, a mobile app- "Mithun Mitra" (Friend of Mithun), developed in collaboration with ICAR-IVRI, was also launched which will be further upgraded to include features like Framers' registration and interactive modules.
