NAMSAI, 12 Apr: Sixty farmers from four selected villages of Namsai district participated in a ‘national webinar-cum-e workshop on entrepreneurship development through cluster-based pig farming in Northeast region’, organised by the ICAR’s Umiam (Meghalaya)-based regional centre (RC) virtually on Monday.
During the programme, held under the DBT-funded Biotech-Kisan Hub project titled ‘Expansion of activities of Biotech-Kisan Hub in selected seven aspirational districts of NE states’, senior scientist Dr Meena Das highlighted the opportunities available for the farmers of the region in the piggery sector.
ICAR RC HoD (DAFS) Dr SK Das highlighted the necessity of making pork locally available as the demand for pork products are increasing. He encouraged the farmers to “form cluster of piggery production and produce clean and hygienic pork products.”
Former ICAR ADG (animal health) Dr Gaya Prasad enlightened the participants regarding the high demand of pork products within and outside the country, and said that the NE states are growing into a “pork export hub” in the country.
Former professor at Khanapara (Assam)-based College of Veterinary Science, Dr Mineswar Hazarika emphasised on the application of appropriate technology for processing and value addition of pork, “and proper utilisation of pig byproduct leading to establishment of rural entrepreneurship development.”
Hyderabad-based ICAR on Meat’s senior scientist Dr Kandeepan G dwelt on scientific slaughter of pigs, hygienic pork production, and value addition.
Namsai KVK Head Dr D Sasmal, animal science expert Dr BKD Borah, and YP-II Nancy Munglung and Marter Siram also spoke.
