Dimapur, Oct. 15 (EMN): ICAR-National Research Centre on Mithun (ICAR-NRCM), Medziphema, celebrated its 35th foundation day-cum-stakeholders’ meet on October 15. ICAR-NRCM is the only research institute that exclusively works on scientific and sustainable Mithun rearing systems and caters to the needs of Mithun farmers.
An update from ICAR-NRC stated that, Neiba Kronu, minister of Planning and Coordination, Land Revenue and Parliamentary Affairs and the special guest of the event, inaugurated the semen processing laboratory building and planted a sapling at ICAR Mithun farm, Medziphema. He has complimented compliment ICAR-NRCM for their achievements in research and extension activities.
“I am highly impressed how the Mithuns are managed in the Medziphema farm and we are lucky that NRC on Mithun is at our place,” Kronu said.
He pointed out that it is the right time to increase the Mithun population by adopting scientific practices. He also highlighted on the importance of identifying and propagating evergreen plant species and to develop pasture lands for sustainable Mithun rearing.
In his final remarks, Kronu urged the Mithun farmers to take up scientific Mithun farming saying, “Market is not an issue for Mithun.”
Nagaland Agriculture Production Commissioner (APC) and guest of honour, Y Kikheto Sema, has praised the hard work put in by the entire team of ICAR-NRCM for the development of technologies benefitting farmers.
He stated that Mithun occupies an esteemed position among Northeast people and remained inseparable in socio-economic and cultural life. He has suggested forming a committee from different Mithun-rearing states to take up Mithun farming on commercial scale.
Observing rapid decline in forest cover and decreasing in Mithun population, Sema has suggested for bankable Mithun projects with zero interest.
Dr. Abhijit Mitra, director of ICAR-CIRC from Meerut, UP, pointed out that Mithun do not compete with other livestock feed resources as it could thrive easily on forest foliage. While emphasising on the scope of Mithun as organic, functional, and alternative food, he has asked to come up with Mithun festival or Mithun day, or Mithun cuisine day to popularise the animal.
He further urged the farmers to stop the indiscriminate slaughter of well-built large-size Mithun but conserve them for breeding purpose.
Dr. MH Khan, director of ICAR-NRCM, welcomed all the dignitaries and highlighted on the achievements of the institute over the last 35 years.
Report stated that other inputs were distributed to farmers and a stakeholders’ meet was held wherein the resource persons from NABARD and SBI interacted with Mithun farmers.
