Veterinarians urged to increase meat production

Staff Reporter
Dimapur, Nov. 15 (EMN): Parliamentary Secretary of Information and Technology, Dr. I Longriniken, has urged the veterinarians in the State to evolve new strategy in order to produce surplus meat in order to uplift the State economy.
Speaking at the two-day orientation programme cum 18th general conference of the Nagaland Veterinary Field Assistants’ Association (NVFAA) at Dimapur Town Hall on November 15, the legislator urged the veterinary professionals not to be satisfied with getting a good government job but rather venture out and create job avenues for the unskilled and the unemployed youth.
With high demand for meat product in the State, he said there is sufficient scope for livestock entrepreneurs. Dr. Longriniken opined that there is a huge gap between the market demand and the availability of the livestock products. He, therefore, called on the veterinarians to take up the challenge and take up the responsibility to fill up the gap.
The legislator also appealed the department to provide basic needs to the para veterinarians who are engaged in the field.
Deputy Director of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry, Dr. Kuokehebi Gwirie, in his keynote address, informed that as per the sample survey report of 2015-16, the State produced 52% of the total requirement worth of INR 1116.40 crore leaving a shortfall of 48% which amounts to INR 817.53 crore. For the shortfall, the State has to import animal husbandry products worth INR 212.98 crore, said Dr. Gwirie.
Dr. Gwirie stated that it is the mandate of the government of India to update the veterinarian and para-veterinarian with latest know-how adding it is the role of the veterinarian and para-veterinarian to correct diagnosis and provide the correct line of treatment and follow up on livestock. Traditionally, he said ‘we are animal rearer but never into commercial level of farming where profit loss are not much of a concern’.
With mounting pressure on the veterinarian profession, Dr. Gwirie assured to concentrate on regular refresher trainings, routine collection of samples to keep check on diseases and vaccination at farmers’ door steps.
The two-day event was sponsored by Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services for training and capacity building under National Livestock Mission, GOI.