Dimapur, September 16 (MExN): A brainstorming session on “Developing bankable scheme for mithun farming and other related issues” was held at ICAR-NRC on Mithun, Medziphema on September 16. Officials from the State Department of Veterinary and A.H, Department of Science and Technology, National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Nagaland, Nagaland State Cooperative Bank Limited, School of Agriculture and Rural Development (SASRD), KVKs and ICAR-NRC on Mithun, Medziphema participated in the programme.
Dr Abhijit Mitra, Director, ICAR-NRC on Mithun presented a layout of the issues to be discussed in the brainstorming session. He urged the banks to come forward to offer loan for mithun rearing since it is economically viable and financially feasible.
In the opening remarks, M.K Mero, Commissioner and Secretary, Dept. of Veterinary & A.H stressed the importance of banking loan for mithun farming. He further stated that there should be a synergy between forest conservation, Jhum cultivation, and mithun farming. He informed that Govt of Nagaland is seriously taking the mithun project under Gokul Gram Mission.
A. Chakravarty, General Manager, NABARD said that mithun farming could be bankable as it is able to generate income to repay the loan by the borrowers. Dr. Zayei Hiese, Scientific Officer, NASTEC, presented a PowerPoint on innovative bio-fencing for mithun rearing under free range system which can be an alternative for traditional practice of annual fencing with tree felling.
Dr Akhilesh Kumar, Scientist presented the need for Geographical Indication (GI) which may be useful for the benefit of the mithun farmers. Dr Kobu Khate, Technical Officer, presented a model scheme for bankable mithun farming which can fetch a profitable return to the mithun farmers.
After a thorough deliberation, the session concluded that mithun should not be wrongly referred as semi-domestic or semi-wild animal, rather it is a domestic animal reared in the forest eco-system. Mithun is basically reared for meat purpose and should be declared as a food animal, it was also stated, according to a press release. Considering the fact that mithun farming is a profitable enterprise, the session also opined that it should be financed by the banks to support the livelihood of the farming community.
Among others, Dr Nazrul Haque, Pr. Scientist, Dr Soroj Toppo, Pr. Scientist, Dr Chami, Scientist, Dr R.K Singh, PC, Porba, Dr Debo, SMS, Dr Kezhavituo Vupru, ACTO, Dr Nizamuddin, Associate Professor, Dr N. Savino, Associate professor, Dr Perumal, Scientist, Dr J.K Chamuah, Scientist, Dr Ebibeni, SMS etc. took part in the brainstorming session.
