Officials discuss Mithun development at ICAR meeting

Dimapur, March 9 (EMN): The Indian Council of Agricultural research (ICAR)-National Research Centre of Mithun at Medziphema conducted a meeting with officials of the Agriculture Technology Management Agency (ATMA) on March 9. The meeting focused on issues of potential in Mithun husbandry for livelihood improvement.

The meeting had as “chief guest”, T Imkonglemba Ao, the Commissioner & Secretary for Agriculture.

Imkonglemba Ao highlighted the pros and cons of jhum cultivation and the role that preparing land plays in the uplift of the village economy. He also stressed on Mithun rearing with the jhum cultivation and urged them to understand the natural resources of Nagaland, including Mithun, rather than depending on resources which are not native to the state.

Also, he said that the Naga people do not realise what resources they own and what the land can give them. ‘We must ponder back if we are to rejuvenate our state economy,’ he said.

Also, the official referred to the disciplines of medicine, agriculture and theology in which Naga and northeastern scientists work hard. However, they lack subject specialisation ‘on writing books on dry land farming even though they have studied from reputed institutions,’ he remarked.

During the event, participants discussed matter during the technical sessions and covered some important information on the Mithun:

Rearing system of Mithun by Dr. Kobu Khate
Traditionally Mithun is reared under forest eco-system since time Immunocal. However, forest coverage is becoming a threat for mithun’s habitation. Under this scenario an alternative rearing system is urgently needed that can support Mithun husbandry without compromising productivity.

Mithun Genetic resources: Dr.Sabyasachi Mukherji
Mithun genetic resources is very diverse and having varied genetic diversity in four states of Northeast Region, Nagaland, Arunachal, Manipur and Mizoram. Mithun is one very unique animals and valuable in terms of its potential for meat, milk and hide products. This potential of Mithun must be explained along with its conservation and genetic improvement.

Nutritional requirements for Mithun: Dr. Nazrul Haque
In this the scientific delivered lecture on conserve ring feeds and fodders for scarcity period for meeting requirements of Mithun, Especially when reared in semi-intensive or intensive system.

Reproductive management of Mithun: Dr. M.H. Khan
The scientist of Animal reproduction and genealogy delivered a lecture on reproductive management of Mithun. In that various aspects of reproduction in Mithun like Semen collection, analysis of preservation, estrus synchronisation, and embryo transfer technology and pregnancy diagnosis in Semi-intensive system of Mithun in Northeast region is also presented. In this system Mithun is integrated with fish culture,piggery,poultry, horticulture and agriculture and learned how to measure the economic returns from the integrated farming system or Mithun based farming system.