Planning Commission nod for world class pig-breeding farm at Jalukie
Our Correspondent
Kohima | July 29
The Planning Commission has approved Rs 280 crore for setting up a ‘world class’ pig-breeding farm at Jalukie for which the state government had already acquired 1,035 acres of land. The technology will from UK and Germany, Minister for Veterinary & Animal Husbandry, TR Zeliang said here today.
The proposed project will first meet the needs of Dimapur, Peren and Kohima districts and gradually expand to the other districts within four to five years. Currently, the state is spending about Rs 400 crore a year on import of various livestock from other states. A department survey has reported that 60% to 70% are imported while 30% to 40% are local products.
The minister said “we need to increase our livestock production especially pork”. Unlike other communities like the Hindus who do not consume beef or Muslims who do not eat pork, Nagas are heavy meat eaters and pork is a basic menu for all occasions including festivals, weddings, birthdays, any other social occasion or function and even funerals too, the minister said.
Meanwhile, the department has decided to stop all import of pigs due to the raging swine flu in other parts of the country and orders are going to be issued accordingly. “This will help us to know the disease and also let us know how much our own livestock production is,” the minister said. The minister also lauded Chakhesang Public Organization’s stand of prohibiting livestock import in Phek.
Another project in the pipeline in tandem with the pig-breeding farm is to establish a slaughter house with ‘UK technology’ at Khopanullah near Chumukedima. Currently, pigs are slaughtered in unhygienic conditions in most cases. Sometimes, unknown to the customers, pigs which die suddenly are also sold. The proposed slaughter house will only slaughter animals which have been certified as healthy, the minister said.
The third stage will be setting up of a meat processing unit for which a location has been identified in Dimapur. Nagas are overly fond of red meat. This unit will produce items like bacon, ham and sausages. In New Delhi, the current rate is about Rs 380 per kg but “with our own resources we can export at about Rs 200 per kg. The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for this is also under preparation,” the minister said. TR Zeliang further said “if I can achieve these projects during my tenure then we can save at least Rs 400 crore where the livestock is concerned.”
Milk: ‘White Revolution’
The minister also said that he is organising a “White Revolution” because there is shortage of fresh milk in the State. Right now we have DIMUL and KOMUL which supplies milk to the public in Dimapur and Kohima. However, for instance, the production capacity of DIMUL is 10,000 litres a day but it is producing only 400 litres a day. The Planning Commission has agreed to provide Rs five crore for the “White Revolution.” As such, “we should organise a Dairy Federation also. In the meantime, the department has decided to provide assistance to the tune of 50 per cent of the cost to any society which wants to rear cattle on commercial scale.”
An area of concern for the Minister is that he has been telling his department officials that “Govt. farms cannot do all the work for the people. They are meant to be “Demonstration Farms” which will educate the people how to run a piggery, dairy unit etc. “We will try to connect to all villages but the doctors and compounders are there only to take care of the health of the animals. The Village Council Chairmen, NGOs and even the Church should take greater interest regarding livestock production whether by individuals or societies. “Let us divert to new dimension. My vision is that eventually there will be a veterinary doctor in every block and a compounder in almost every village.”
Towards this end, T. R. Zeliang disclosed that he is proposing to establish a Veterinary College in Nagaland as also an Institute of Veterinary Field Assistants VFAs. At present, there are only 35 VFAs but there are 350 candidates. His aim is to at least enhance the capacity to 200 seats. With increase in the livestock production for every 500 pigs there will a veterinary doctor and two compounders. And so, the employment prospects are also enhanced, he added.
