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Our Correspondent
Kohima, Feb. 26 (EMN): Underlining the potentiality of livestock farming in Nagaland to uplift the economy, advisor of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services (AH&VS) and Women Resources, R Khing, called on the veterinarians to discharge their assigned responsibilities with sincerity and diligence towards achieving the goal.
Khing stated this while addressing the general conference of the Nagaland Veterinarians Association (NVA) as special guest held at Hotel Japfu in Kohima on Friday. Khing stated that the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services department emerged as one important department particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic.
While congratulating NVA, he called upon the members to put into practice the knowledge they acquired stating that they have a big role towards the development of the state economy. He also advised the veterinarians to encourage farmers in rural areas take up livestock farming to enable them attain self-sufficiency for the progress of the society.
The advisor maintained that animals have become an integral part of human life in the form of food as well as friends in work. He added that the by-products are useful for production of crops.
While pointing out shortage of meat, milk and eggs in the state and also the state dependency on all those products from outside, he challenged the participants to bring about transformation in order to meet the shortfalls and bridge the gap for sustainability in the state.
Khing exuded confidence that the veterinarians would introspect and persevere to bring about economic transformation in the state. Khing further urged the veterinarians to be dedicated and determined to work towards the uplift of the state.
In his keynote address, the director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, Dr. Budhi Lama pointed out that Nagaland is deficient in major livestock products namely milk, meat, eggs.
He stated that the total requirement of meat in the state was 66.7000 tonnes while the internal domestic product was only 32.03000 tonnes which is about 48% only. While reminding on the immense potential of animal husbandry development in the state, he stated NVA could play a pivotal role towards fulfilling the goal.
He, therefore, urged the NVA to support the department to meet the growing demand of the people in achieving self-sufficiency in major live-stocks products.
The director maintained that ‘post Covid-19 pandemic, the department of Animal Husbandry has been identified as the key players to improve the state’s economy. In this regard, he called for cohesive efforts to achieve the targets.
He further added that ‘thousands of returnees from cities post pandemic’ could be re-habilitated through Animal Husbandry programmes like backyard piggery and poultry farming.
Also speaking on the occasion, the secretary of Animal Husbandry and Animal Sciences, Khrupi Sothu urged the members to introspect on their responsibilities towards achieving self-sufficiency in meat productions. The Nagaland Veterinarians Association president, Dr. Ilang, in his presidential address, highlighted the achievements and activities of the association over the years at international and national platforms.