Mokokchung gets first portable liquid nitrogen plant

MOKOKCHUNG — A portable liquid nitrogen plant (LNP) was inaugurated by Vikeyie Kenya, commissioner and secretary of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, at Veterinary Hospital Complex Hospital Complex in Mokokchung on Wednesday.

The portable LNP was imported from Turkey at an estimated cost of more than INR 49 lakh excluding transportation charges and implemented by the Nagaland Livestock Development Board (NLDB) under Rastriya Gokul Mission.

With the installation of LNP, Mokokchung became the first district to receive the facility in Nagaland. The plant can run on domestic power support and meets the requirement of LN2 especially for Mokokchung and eastern districts.

According to the chief veterinary officer (CVO) of Mokokchung, Dr. BM Sunep, the portable LNP is basically used for preserving frozen semen used for artificial insemination (AI) in cattle besides other usages. It can cater to institutions like the Medical department, university, ICAR etc. where liquid nitrogen is required in their projects. 

Speaking at the inauguration programme, Kenya stated that with the installation of the plant, it would enable the department to cater to the needs of the livestock farmers not only of the district but also from neighboring districts.

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He has directed the officers and staff to properly document the department activities in order to make the farmers aware on the availability of technical assistance from the department. He also implored the staff to take ownership of the plant through proper maintenance.

The keynote address was delivered by Dr. K Gwirie, joint director of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services. He maintained that despite India being the highest milk producing country in the world since 1998, Nagaland still face deficit in milk production.

Dr. Gwirie expressed optimism that requirement of milk production could be met with the launch of LNP in Mokokchung.

The managing director of NLDB, Dr. Achila Ao, has highlighted the basic working procedure of the plant and its utilisation. She also urged the officers and staff to judiciously make use of the plant in order to benefit the people.

Earlier, Dr. BM Sunep, CVO of Mokokchung, stated that the LNP plant would assist in carrying out AI to full capacity thereby increasing the breeding quality and productivity. As the prosperity of the people lies in cattle, he encouraged the people to take up livestock farming and also to avail the institutional infrastructures provided by the department.