'Duck rearing: a sustainable job for youth as duck meat demands soar in State and NE'
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 24 2020:
A one day training programme on "Duck rearing for sustainable income of the unemployed youth" was held at the conference hall of College of Agriculture (COA), CAU, Imphal today.
The training programme was organized by Department of Animal Sciences, COA, CAU, Imphal under the aegis of (NBAGR-Karnal) Project "Characterization of Manipuri Duck".
State's Veterinary & Animal Husbandry Services Director Dr H Chaoba, COA, CAU, Imphal Dean Professor Indira Sarangthem, Director of Extension Education, CAU, Imphal Professor Ratan Kumar Saha and Department of Animal Sciences, COA, CAU, Imphal Head Dr Th Ranadhir graced the inaugural function as dignitaries.
Speaking at the function, Chaoba said that there is a paradigm shift within the framework of employment in the State with many educated youths taking up self employment works and entrepreneurship.
He noted that entrepreneur-ship and self sustaining jobs have become the new dynamics of changing the society.
Asserting that duck rearing could be a sustainable job for the unemployed youths, the Director went on to urge the youth participating in the training to earn the best possible knowledge about training programme.
While claiming that the process for importing 22 foreign breed pigs from the United Kingdom by the State's Veterinary Department under Innovative Pig Development Project of GoI is underway, he said that a piggery farm is being set up at Hiyanglam to rear the imported breeds.
The offspring of the imported breeds will be distributed to farmers at subsidized rate, Chaoba added.
Ratankumar Saha said that duck and its meat are in huge demand in the State and other parts of the North East.
Stressing on the importance of having adequate scientific knowledge of rearing ducks by farmers, Saha maintained that duck culture and breeding should be done to give constant supply of duck meat and eggs to market.
He then encouraged the farmers and youth in the State to give priority on rearing Manipuri duck.
Saha also said that opening distant education for duck rearing at CAU, Imphal can give lots of benefit to farmers who have interest on rearing ducks.