A boost for local livestock farmers
DIMAPUR, MAY 26 (MExN): Meat-loving Nagaland state finally got its first modernized slaughterhouse, also first of its kind in the Northeast Region, with inauguration of Modern Abattoir Project at Burma Camp colony, Dimapur, on Saturday. Nagaland Minister for Planning & Coordination, Veterinary & AH, TR Zeliang, who was the chief guest of the inauguration said the project was a major step forward not only in providing clean and hygienic meat to the people but also to boost the economy of rural people, especially those breeding animals like cows and pigs.
Stating that 40% of rural economy comes from livestock rearing, the minister said the abattoir with capacity to slaughter more than 500 animals daily, would provide an opportunity as well as challenge to local farmers and breeders to improve and increase breeding productivity. The minister said the state government was trying its best to encourage local people to rear and breed animals for meat and improves their economy, as alleviating the economy of the rural people would ultimately mean the growth of the state’s economy too.
He however cited some factors that have deterred local farmers and breeders from taking to livestock farming in a large way. Two main reasons are price of meat in Nagaland and difficulty in procuring feeds. Comparing the price of pork in other states and metropolitan cities with that in Nagaland, he said the prices of pork in Nagaland is much cheaper, thereby discouraging local breeders from livestock farming due to high cost involved in rearing animals, especially feeds. And that is why Nagaland depends mainly on imports for it daily meat requirement.
The Vety. & AH minister however said that import of meat in the state has gone down in the last 4-5 years due to initiatives of the government. Nagaland, which imported 70% of its meat requirement some five years back now, imports 40-50 %, the minister said. To encourage local livestock farmers, Zeliang said that the state government has already approved setting up of animal feed plants in six districts including Tuensang, Kiphire, Mokokchung, Kohima, Dimapur and Peren. He also informed that very soon, an exotic pig breeding farm would be coming up at Jalukie in Peren district.
Project consultant, GK Sen and TR Shanmukha, PMA, from the Ministry of Food Processing, in their speeches encouraged the Dimapur Municipal Council to make full use of the abattoir and not to let the huge project remain idle. The central officials also said that the Nagaland Abattoir project is one of the two among the ten central projects to be completed successfully and in record time. Earlier, CEO, Dimapur Municipal Council, Imtirenla Jamir delivered the welcome address and additional project director, Municipal Affairs, Dr. M Toshimeren, proposed vote of thanks. The 22 crore abattoir project was completed with the Centre providing 75 % of the fund.
