Kohima, September 17 (MExN): The proposal to import live pigs worth Rs. 200 crore annually from Punjab to Nagaland by the Nagaland State Government is not digesting too well.
Opposition has come from the Chakhesang Public Organisation (CPO), Nagaland Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services and the Pig Farmers Association of Nagaland.
While “appreciating” the initiative for no known reason, the CPO questioned the Nagaland State Government on what prompted it to make such a move? “What is holding the State Government from producing the same locally? Is our State economically or climatically not viable for pig farming? Is there any shortage of local entrepreneurs in the State? Is pig farming out of the purview of State Veterinary & Animal Husbandry Department?”
The CPO reminded the Government of Nagaland that since 2000 the CPO has imposed a ban on import of pigs in the Chakhesang jurisdiction for commercial purposes, “except for rearing that too below 30kg with certification from the Department.”
This has “encouraged the farmers to rear (pigs), thus benefiting and uplifting their economy and also preventing epidemics,” noted the CPO in a press release today from its President, Kekhwengulo Lea, and General Secretary, Mutsivoyi Kotso. The only problem, they maintained is the “shortage of piglets of higher yielding variety which we had apprised the Department.”
The CPO suggested that the Nagaland State Government constitute a high level committee to study the impact of livestock imports on the economy and “examine constitution of an amalgamated society for improvement of livestock rearing and marketing in a time-bound Mission mode program.”
Meanwhile, the Press Trust of India reported the dissatisfaction with the move on other fronts.
Being one of the highest meat consuming states, Nagaland is currently facing shortfall of 40% of meat products out of total requirement of about Rs 400 crore annually, said Director of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services, Dr. Aomangyang Walling while interacting with a section of media on Monday.
He said earlier the shortfall was higher by almost 60% but after the enactment of the Nagaland Pig Breeding Policy 2016, the production in the State has increased and we are short by about 40% of the requirement.
He said that under the new policy the Department has been working hard to make Nagaland a self-sufficient state in meat products by initiating various measures including training the local pig farmers, setting up of breeding centre in Medziphema and Satellite Centre for Artificial Insemination in all the districts.
Self-sufficiency in meat products would enhance the economy of the State and also help in checking the quality of meat, rather than importing it from beyond the state, he said.
He expressed surprise on the report that Department of Underdeveloped Areas is initiating to import around 8000 pigs per month from Punjab.
He lamented that DUDA is initiating the move without even consulting the AH&VS Department, which only has the authority to initiate import of meat products into the State.
Such move is against the Pig Breeding Policy of the State, he said, while also expressing regret that DUDA had failed to obtain ‘No Objection Certificate’ which has to be issued in consultation with the technical expertise of the AH&VS Department.
Nonetheless, highly placed sources on conditions of anonymity revealed to PTI that DUDA has taken the No Objection from the Advisor of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, without consulting the department concerned.
Efforts to reach the Advisor R Khing to confirm the issue was unsuccessful while his personal secretary failed to respond to PTI.
On this, Dr. Walling said that other than the Administrative Head of Department and the Head of Department in consultation with technical expertise of the AH&VS no one can issue the No Objection Certificate.
On the other hand, President of Pig Farmers Association of Nagaland, Rev Supong said such move would totally discourage the local pig farmers as the Association, which since its inception in 2013 has been working hard to improve pig rearing and meet the demand of the state.
“It would have negative impact on the economy of the pig farmers and also the state in general as Nagaland would dole out around Rs 200 crore annually,” he said.
As Nagas consume huge quantity of meat, many educated youths are engaged in pig farming and such moves to import pig instead of encouraging local farmers would only hamper our prospects, he said, while urging the government to seriously ponder on the matter before signing any Memorandum with Punjab.
