Aiming for self-sufficiency in meat — Paiwang Konyak

Our Correspondent
Kohima, Feb. 13 (EMN): Minister of Transport, Civil Aviation and Railways, and Land Resources P Paiwang Konyak on Thursday stated that self-sufficiency in meat is the main priority of the department.

In response to a starred question raised by MLA Kuzholuzo Nienu during the ongoing Nagaland Legislative Assembly (NLA) session, Paiwang Konyak said that various steps and schemes are being initiated— like strengthening of state pig-breeding farms and induction of superior pig germplasm from the United Kingdom (UK) through the government of India.

He also informed that a boar station has been set up at Medziphema to provide artificial insemination of superior germplasm to improve the production of pigs. Village piggery development for pork production through the participation of 187 piggery farmers under the centrally sponsored scheme are in progress, he stated.

Konyak informed that the government of India has agreed to establish an indigenous pig farm at Sathazou in Phek district for conserving and ‘propagating’ the indigenous germplasm in their breeding tract. Presently, the state is said to be importing approximately 4.36 tonnes of pork.

Opposition party MLA Yitachu, commented that Phek is the only district that has stopped importing pork and beef. He requested the department to initiate some projects in the district in order to encourage the local farmers to improve breeding, which will motivate the other districts to follow suit by banning the import of pork and beef.

In response to another starred question raised by MLA YM Konyak, Minister of Health and Family Welfare S Pangnyu Phom informed that PHC Wakching has been upgraded to CHC on 2014 but is yet to be inaugurated in view of resource constraints. The development of necessary infrastructure development and creation of the post is under active consideration, he stated.

When asked about the upgraded CHC becoming functional, he replied that the health unit is presently functioning as a CHC only.