Interface Meeting Discussed Development and Technological Issues

KVK-Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries in NE Region and ICAR

Jharnapani, 7 August, 2010

An interface meeting was organized between KVKs and officers of Departments of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries in NE Region and ICAR at National Research Centre on Mithun, Jharnapani, Nagaland on August 7, 2010. It discussed the issues of development and areas of convergence between KVKs and state animal husbandry and fisheries departments. This meeting sensitized the participants about the technological issues related to development of Animal Husbandry and Fishery Sectors.

Mr. T. R. Zeliang, Hon’ble Minister, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary, Govt. of Nagaland and the chief guest of the meeting appreciated the organizing committee for arranging such an interface meeting for the first time in the State. He mentioned that the Nagaland State is deficient in meat production and around 40% of the requirement of meat is satisfied through import. All NE States in general and Nagaland in particular are deficient in meat production, hence special strategies should be made to improve the productivity of meat animals, he added.

He also emphasized the need to establish three more KVKs in three newly created districts in Nagaland. The minister suggested that implication of efficient breeding policies and introduction of fast-growing breeds of animals particularly pigs, establishment of model dairy and pig village, establishment of more numbers of proper disease diagnostic laboratories and dispensaries, large scale of extension programmes and intensification of quality protein maize production may improve economy of the farmers in the region.

The meeting was chaired by Mr. Dilip Rath, Joint Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India. He mentioned in his address that though the NE region contributes 8, 10 and 39% of India’s cattle, poultry and pig population, respectively, but the region is still short to meet the requirement. There are shortcomings in implementation of programmes for development of these species in the region. He also emphasized on framing the strategies to develop and prosper the fishery sector in the NE region.

Group discussions involving the officials and KVKs from all 8 States of NE to frame work plan for improving the animal husbandry, dairy and fishery sectors in the region was arranged. Action plan for convergence by working groups were presented immediately after group discussion.

Officials from various KVKs located in the NE regions (Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Tripura, Sikkim, Manipur, Assam and Meghalaya), Departments of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Department of Fisheries from NE Region and Departments of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, Government of India deliberated various crucial issues in the meeting.