In the last few days, Arunachal Pradesh Animal Husbandry Minister Gabriel D Wangsu has raised two very important demands with the Centre for the benefit of the state. First, he urged the central government to facilitate the opening of a veterinary college in the state. This is a very genuine demand. Arunachal is home to some of the most unique animals. Also, large numbers of people rear livestock for livelihood. The opening of a veterinary college will go a long way in helping to promote research in the field of animal husbandry. The people will benefit from such research work.
Wangsu also sought collaboration with the National Meat Research Institute (NMRI) to make livestock, particularly organic livestock, more commercially viable for farmers and youths of Arunachal. The NMRI can play a very important role in the state as meat contributes significantly to the state’s economy. The consumption of meat is quite high in the state. Meat is very much part of the tribal customs. Despite the potential, the livestock farmers of the state have not been able to harness the potential fully. The demand is high and supply is low. Therefore people depend on Assam for supply. With the help of the NMRI, the farmers can be properly trained to harness their potential fully.