Khashim urges farmers to join livestock insurance
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Makang
Ukhrul, August 20 2024:
Veterinary & Animal Husbandry minister Khashim Vashum has called for raising awareness about the livestock insurance scheme among farmers in the hill districts including Ukhrul and Kamjong, so that they could avail various benefits of the same.
He stated that the scheme could help in sustaining pig farming, which he called a main livelihood source for majority households in the hills since age-old times.
"This scheme offers a safety net for our poor farmers and cattle rearers, ensuring them recovery from unexpected losses due to epidemic or other natural disasters," said minister Vashum while speaking as chief guest at the unveiling ceremony of the Ukhrul Piggery Farmers-Producers Company Ltd (UPFPO) at Ukhrul town hall on Tuesday.
Acknowledging the challenges faced by local farmers in achieving successful pig rearing with abundant production, he emphasised that the livestock insurance scheme, launched earlier this year, is a crucial means to provide farmers with much-needed protection against potential losses due to epidemics or disasters.
Vashum urged farmers in the hill districts to take advantage of the scheme, which requires them to pay only 20 per cent of the insured amount with the remaining 80 per cent being covered by the central government (50 per cent) and the state government (30 per cent).
Minister Vashum, who is also the transport minister, simultaneously stressed the importance of vehicle insurance, urging the public to insure their vehicles to protect themselves in case of accidents or loss.
He noted the crucial role of the Veterinary Department in supporting farmers and ensuring their livelihoods and urged the department's officers and staffers at the district level to work diligently to ensure the successful implementation of these initiatives.
The minister highlighted that the recent launch of 33 veterinary mobile ambulances across various districts including Ukhrul and Kamjong under the Health and Diseases Control Programme, has been a significant step towards protecting livestock and welfare of local farmers in remote areas.
He informed that the mobile vehicle units provide dedicated services to meet the needs-of the farmers irrespective of locations and asked the public to dial 1962 to avail the service.
On the occasion, minister Vashum also unveiled the Incorporation Certificate and the official logo of UPFPO, in the presence of its CEO Ngalemmi Erenr Horam and director Jolly Awungshi.
He congratulated UPFPO on its successful establishment as a platform supporting local piggery farmers and encouraged the organisation's functionaries to work diligently towards their goal of enhancing the livelihoods within the local piggery industry.
The minister also advised UPFPO's functionaries to navigate the various challenges of the business landscape with caution, While encouraging them clearly identifying potential risks.
He also appealed to the UPFPO to uphold the trust of the farmers who have joined the organisation in pursuit of better livelihoods, urging them not to disappoint its members.
In his keynote address, CEO Horam stated that UPFPO is a pioneering farmers producer organisation (FPO) founded in May 2024, dedicated to improving the livelihoods of piggery farmers across Ukhrul and Kamjong districts.
He said the organisation has over 700 registered members, and is structured with a leadership team of 15 board of directors and an executive body overseeing 11 functional areas.
Horam also stressed that the organisation aims to empower local farmers through sustainable piggery farming practices, ensuring better productivity, access to markets, and enhanced income, While providing members with access to high-quality breeding stock, advanced training, and resources to improve farming techniques, along with strong support networks to drive collective growth.
Horam further informed that the organisation is registered under the Union Ministry of Corporate Affairs, and that it envisions to aggregate farmers' efforts at the district level, working towards ensuring food security, economic stability, and the creation of employment opportunities in the region.
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