Dimapur, March 4 (MExN): Farm Innovators’ Day was celebrated at National Research Centre on Mithun, Jharnapani on February 28, to recognize the efforts and contributions of innovative farmers in the area of animal husbandry and encourage other farmers for undertaking animal farming activities in a more organized and scientific manner.
Among the farmers, four farmers were identified as innovative and successful in different animal husbandry activities. The identified innovative farmers were Aru Khate from Kuda village, Dimapur for dairy cattle farming, Zantsemo Ngullie of N/Longidang village of Wokha for Semi Intensive Mithun Farming, Rokovizo Khro of Seithekema village, Dimapur for Backyard Rabbit Farming and Lhiwepre Ritse of Pfutseromi village of Phek district for Pig Breeding. These farmers were honoured and a certificate of recognition was given for their efforts.
Colonel S K Bhakuni of 37th Assam Rifles, Medziphema was the chief guest of the programme and other dignitaries present were Dr. Gautam Mukherjee, Associate Professor, Government College of Engineering and Leather Technology, Kolkata, Dr. Chandan Rajkhowa, Director NRC on Mithun and Dr. BC Deka, Joint Director, ICAR-RC for NEH, Nagaland Centre. Farmers from different parts of the state participated in the programme.
Speaking on the occasion Colonel SK Bhakuni emphasized on the need of more intensive efforts for animal farming activities as this sector has vast potential due to availability of plenty of natural resources in the region. Mithun has cultural relevance in the region but more economic value of the can be obtained only by harnessing maximum benefits from its products ad their value addition which will ultimately improve the economic status of the farming communities.
Gautam Mukherjee emphasized on the processing of leather and value addition by converting it to quality leather products since availability of hide is in plenty in the state being primarily a meat eating state. Primary processing of hide can be done by the farmers themselves and then it may be sold to leather industry for making finished leather and variety of products.
Dr. BC Deka said that recent opening of a modern slaughter house at Dimapur has open an opportunity for setting up a leather processing industries in the state, which will provide employment opportunities in the state. At the end of the programme Dr. R. K. Singh proposed the vote of thanks and wished that in the coming days enthusiastic and innovative entrepreneurs will be able to carry forward the enthusiasm of farming community for overall development of the Animal husbandry sector.
Earlier, Dr. Chandan Rajkhowa welcomed the guests and expressed that the farmers are the field scientists and real development will occur only when there is synergy of activities of field scientists and researcher. Talking about one of the valued product mithun leather he expressed that the skin of the animals is also consumed along with the meat but it does not have much nutritional significance but processing of it may fetch more economic returns.
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