Porba, June 12 (MExN): Krish Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Phek and its host Institute ICAR-NRC on Mithun organized a one day “Mithun Mela cum Farmers-Scientist Interaction” in Porba village, Phek on June 10.
According to a press release, it was held inorder to create awareness about the scientific rearing and conservation of the unique bovine species, Mithun.
ICAR- National Research Centre (NRC) on Mithun, the only Institute mandated for continual development of the mithun, has been organizing Mithun Mela throughout the North-Eastern states, the release added.
A total of 70 mithuns were brought to the mela and were vaccinated against FMD. In order to promote semi-intensive mithun rearing, several inputs including barbed-wire, CGI sheet, gumboots, raincoat, and Travis were also handed over to the Mithun Rearing Society of the village.
A scientist-farmer interaction meet was also organized. During the interaction, the need for regular vaccination and Custom Hiring Centre for agricultural implements were elaborated and deliberated upon.
Dr Joykrushna Jena, Deputy Director General (DDG), Fisheries and Animal Science, ICAR, New Delhi, Chief Guest of the Mithun Mela, in his inaugural address expressed his gratitude to the farmers of Porba village for their hospitality and heartfelt welcome, ever since he landed at Porba.
He urged the gathering to continue rendering their support and work as a unit with the Institute to further bring more developmental changes that would benefit the community. Dr Jena appealed the youths of the village, who are mostly unemployed, to venture into piggery, poultry and fishery enterprises and come forward with proposals to the Institute so that all help possible could be rendered.
Earlier, Dr Abhijit Mitra, Director, ICAR- NRC on Mithun urged that the village should be developed into a model village that can serve as an eco-tourism hotspot so visitors could come and witness mithun, the state animal of Nagaland.
He apprised the farmers about the economic potential of mithun milk besides meat. Dr.Mitra also emphasized the importance of mithun rearing as an occupation to sustain livelihood security.
An exhibition displaying the traditional attires of the Chakhesang tribe was put up by the Chakhesang Women Welfare Society and Northeast Network, Chizami. The Mela was attended by 418 farmers from Porba, Gidemi and Pholami village.
It may be mentioned that the Chakhesang tribe of Nagaland has been rearing mithun for ages and it has become an integral part of their socio-economic life. Porba village is one of the villages of Phek district with high-density mithun population.
