NRC on Mithun Celebrated Silver Jubilee

Dr. S. Ayyappan, Secretary, DARE and Director General, ICAR was Chief Guest on the occasion. In his address, he admired the significant efforts of scientists of the Institute during last 25 years. Dr. Ayyappan applauded the quality of research articles published by scientific community of the institute in high impact international journals. He emphasized upon the need to expand the activities of Institute in other Mithun rearing states.

Shri Yitachu, Parliamentary, Secretary, Veterinary and Animal Husbandry, Government of Nagaland was guest of honour. He congratulated NRCM for its grand success in these 25 years and acknowledged the sincere and hard work done by the scientists of NRCM for bringing laurels to the Institute as well as the Mithun in the international arena. Shri Yitachu also raised his concern about the shrinking forest cover in the region which is adversely affecting Mithun rearing in the region.

Shri. Benjongliba Aier, Parliamentary Secretary, Agriculture, Government of Nagaland graced the occasion as Special Guest. He expressed his gratitude to ICAR for establishing NRC on Mithun in Nagaland. He highlighted the socio-cultural association of Mithun in the tribal population of the state. He praised the efforts of NRC on Mithun for the dissemination of technologies among the farmers.

Dr. K.M.L. Pathak, Deputy Director General (Animal Science), ICAR highlighted the achievements and technologies developed by the NCRM during the last 25 years including the development of area specific mineral mixture, spent grain based feed blocks, Artificial Insemination for Mithun and Embryo Transfer calves produced by the Institute.

In his address, Dr. S.N. Puri, Vice Chancellor, Central Agricultural University (CAU), Imphal thanked the NRCM for providing the exposure to undergraduate and post graduate students of CAU in Mithun farming in experiential learning programmes.

Dr. B.S. Prakash, ADG (AN&P), ICAR and other dignitaries from ICAR, AAU, Khanapara and state government officials from Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur also graced the occasion.

Earlier, Dr. C. Rajkhowa, Director, NRC on Mithun welcomed the dignitaries and participant and presented overview of 25 years of journey since its inception in 1988.

An Interface Meeting to discuss the issues related to Mithun husbandry was organized that was attended by the dignitaries, scientists from various institutes of NEH region, State Veterinary & Animal Husbandry officials. The interface meeting was chaired by Dr. B.S. Prakash, ADG (AN&P), ICAR.

On this occasion ‘Mithun based farming system’ was also launched in five villages namely Porba, Losami, Pholami, Thetsumi and Enhulumi of Phek district, which will be developed as model villages by NRCM in collaboration of Entrepreneur Associate and Mithun Farmer Association of this region.

(Source: NRC on Mithun, Medzeephema)

On 28th March, 2014 Mithun Festival was organized at KVK Phek/NRC Mithun Station Porba, Phek. The Festival and Farmers Fare 2014 was inaugurated by Dr. Ashwani Kumar, Honorable Governor of Nagaland. The function was also graced by the first lady of the Nagaland state. In his address, Dr. Kumar highlighted the importance of Mithun in the state He stressed upon entrepreneur development with the assistance of KVK through vocational training and suggested ICAR to assist in establishment of a veterinary college in Nagaland.

Mr. C. Sazo, Speaker of Nagaland Legislative Assembly was the Guest of Honour. The programme was chaired by Mr. C M Tsanglao, Deputy Commissioner, Phek. Dr. S. Ayyappan, Secretary, DARE and Director General, ICAR; Dr. K.M.L Pathak, DDG (Animal Science); Dr. B.S. Prakash, ADG (ANP); and Dr. S.N. Puri, Vice Chancellor, CAU, Imphal were also present on the occasion.