Construction of feed plants completed: Dr Ibotombi
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, February 20 2022: The Veterinary arid Animal Husbandry Department has finished setting up animal feed plants to address the shortage and high prices of animal feed in the state, said new director in-charge of the department Dr Ng Ibotombi.

Speaking to newspersons after his appointment, Dr Ng Ibotombi informed that the department has an inseparable relationship with the farmers and need their support for success of its various initiatives.

Acknowledging that role of the farmers would be vital in realising PM Narendra Modi's vision of doubling the income of the farmers by 2022, he stressed the need for further skill development and capacity building training programme for both entrepreneurs and farmers for economic advancement of the state.

While the state is able to meet the demand for poultry for consumption purposes, eggs are still being imported from outside the state.

The director in-charge also informed that the department has completed the construction of a poult ry and cattle feed plant at the Veterinary Complex, Khumbong; a feed plant in Lukhambi near Noney under Hill Area Development Fund; and Manipur Milk Union in Porompat, to address the shortage of animal feed and dairy intake in the state.

Only the raw materials are awaited for operation of the feed plants, he-said, while adding that the finished products would be provided at affordable prices to the farmers.

Regarding prevention of animal diseases, Dr Ng Ibotombi said that the department is organising vaccination programmes, and called for cooperation and support from the animal owners on the same.

Despite efforts, rabies cases are reported every now and then.

Thus, to prevent this, owners should vaccinate their animals on regular basis, he stated.

He then informed that the department is currently conduction a vaccination drive against Brucellosis under the National Animal Disease Control Programme, wherein female cattle and buffaloes between 4-8 months are being vaccinated.

Apart from this, a target has been set to prevent all cases of Foot and Mouth Disease by 2024 and completely eliminate the same from the country by 2030.Thus, he urged the farmers to extend their cooperation in this regard.

Dr Ng Ibotombi continued that the National Artificial Insemination Programme, which was launched by PM Narendra Modi in 2019, has entered its third phase in the state.

The programme was taken up to increase the dairy yield of the state.

Presently, the state produces 82,000 tonnes of milk, which is not enough to meet the demand of the people.

Thus, germplasms of high quality breeds are being collected for the insemination programme.

Apart from this, a new technology of using sex-sorted semen to ensure reproduction of only cows is being in utilised, he added.

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