Livestock farming schemes with 50 pc subsidy soon
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, July 14 2021: Newly appointed director of veterinary and animal husbandry services Chabungbam Nandakishwar has revealed that the department is in the process of implementing several schemes for development of livestock farming with 50 per cent subsidy from the Centre.

On the other hand, Hampshire breed of pig brought from the United Kingdom will reach the state by second week of August.

The new breed of pig has been imported to make available high genetic germ plasm as most of the current generation of pigs in the state have reduced productivity due to generations of inbreeding, the director said.

Speaking to the media, Nanda-kishwar informed that he will do his best to take up various schemes for the welfare of livestock farmers in the state during his short tenure as director of the department.

Since the budget allocation for the department is minimal, the department is trying to find monetary support from different sources.

The department will improve infrastructure and equipment in the nine existing district veterinary hospitals under Rural Infrastructure Development Fund of NABARD.

The fund has already been sanctioned and the same will be released to the agencies shortly.

A mega farm for goat is coming up at Heingang area through which the kid will be provided to farmers at subsidised rate.

The project will help economically backward group of people.

Besides, a bank loan scheme called Entrepreneurship Development Programme will be taken up under National Livestock Mission through which 50 per cent subsidy will be provided to farmers.

Project outlay under the scheme is up to Rs 25 lakh for poultry farming; Rs 30 lakh for pig farming; Rs 50 lakh for sheep rearing, cattle feed production and fodder farming, he said and added that the department will extend full cooperation to the interested farmers.

At the same time, 22 Hampshire pigs were brought for northeast region under National Livestock Mission and kept in quarantine in Delhi.

The pigs were shifted to Punjab following Covid-19 pandemic and African Swine Flu outbreak in some neighbouring northeast states.

An arrangement was made under which the piglets born during their stay in Punjab will be given to Punjab government in exchange of maintenance and feeding of the piglets.

Now, preparations have been made to bring back the pigs to the state and a three-member team of the department would be visiting Punjab in the second week of August to bring back the pigs, which numbers around 50 to 55 .

The pigs will be kept at the department's piggery farm at Hiyanglam, he informed.

On the other hand, the director said, he came across some reports in media which might affect his prestige and added that it is unfortunate to publish such reports without any documentary evidence.

He then urged the department officials to stay as a family and sort out any issue mutually, if there is any.

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