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Dr. H Rahman, regional representative of the ILRI-South East Asia speaking at the event. Seated L-R: MK Mero, Dr. Tamuli and S Chuba Longkumer.[/caption]
Staff Reporter
Dimapur, Oct. 7 (EMN): The technology of swine reproduction through Artificial Insemination has been launched in the state for the first time benefiting both swine livestock producers and the quality of swine.
The department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services has expressed confidence in the process as it will help in cost efficiency besides eliminating diseases in the animal.
Attending the occasion as chief guest, S Chuba Longkumer, parliamentary secretary for said department said that the facility was a much awaited programme since framing their pig breeding policy which is in collaboration with the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), National Research Centre on pigs (NRCP) and the dept. under the sponsorship of the Tata Trust, it was informed.
Longkumer said that the state needs up to three lakh quality piglets but is unable to reach the requirements thus reminding that through AI, mass production of swine will be possible and in turn produce a known variety of Naga pigs having premium cuts, high productive and reproductive traits including efficient feed conversion ratio with a vision to make Nagaland the largest export hub of pork in the country.
Ram Deka, a scientist at ILRI cited out a plan where 500 pigs would get inseminated in a year while producing evidence and information to the dept. to track its progress.
Speaking at the launch was also Sentimongla Kechuchar from the NEIDA, an NGO based in Phek, Tuensang and Kiphire. He said that their objective was to “use piggery as a vehicle to reach rural areas” and the main concern was to educate farmers on feeds, medicines and to organise themselves to avail these services from NEIDA.
Chairman for the event MK Mero, commissioner-s ecretary, who said that there was a need for up gradation since there are no pure bred pigs in the state hence 200 piglets were distributed in each district after converging with Tata Trust and the Rural Development dept. He further informed that if diseases occur to the pigs, it will lead to an entire wipe out of income of the farmers and cautioned the dept to be alert and ready with medicines. He also revealed how cost efficient AI would be as rearing of male pigs won’t be needed.