Union Minister Giriraj expounds formula on integrated system of Mithun-poultry rearing

Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Giriraj Singh and others observe a Mithun grazing during his maiden visit to ICAR-NRC on Mithun, Medziphema on November 9. 

DIMAPUR, NOVEMBER 9 (MExN): Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Giriraj Singh on Saturday visited the ICAR-National Research Centre on Mithun, Medziphema. He was accompanied by R Khing, Advisor, Department of Ah & Veterinary Services and Women Resource Development and L Khumo, Advisor, Department of Fisheries among others. Dr JK Jena, Deputy Director General (DDG), Fisheries & Animal Sciences also graced the occasion.

Speaking at the inaugural programme, Singh, who was in his maiden visit to Nagaland, described the Mithun, a semi-wild bovine, as a social animal which may play a pivotal role in the economic development of Mithun rearing states and also to generate employment to educated unemployed youth, a press release from ICAR informed.  

He emphasized on semi-intensive rearing of Mithun which will not only provide meat but also will be a good source of milk and dung, it said. 

Giriraj Singh also interacted with the KVK officials and demonstrated how to prepare vermin-compost using soil, decomposed material of moringa and banana leaves, dried Mithun dung and earthworm. 

Singh also proposed an innovative model of rearing colored poultry birds like Vanaraja and Gramapriya on the earthworm produced in the decomposed material comprising of Mithun dung, leaves of moringa and banana and distillery by-product which are locally available, the release further noted. 

This integrated system comprising of Mithun-poultry bird and vermin-compost model, he said, not only will provide good source of protein feed to the poultry but also will help in domestication of Mithun and improving livelihood security to the farmers, it added. 

By using this model, at least one thousand poultry birds can be reared on the dung of only one Mithun, Singh claimed adding that this model has a potential to earn Rs 10 lakh in a year through the sale of eggs and other poultry products. 

Earlier, the minister visited the Institute of Mithun Farm, Medziphema and interacted with the scientists on various issues such as selection of Mithun for improving milk yield, popularization of artificial insemination and embryo transfer technology. 
He also emphasized on popularizing Mithun milk and stressed on the need to open a sale outlet where packed Mithun milk can be sold. He also officially inaugurated the sale of organic Mithun milk during the inaugural programme, the ICAR release informed. 

Speaking on this occasion, Dr Jena mentioned that ICAR-NRC on Mithun is the only research institute in the world and highlighted the importance of Mithun in rural economy. Dr. Abhijit Mitra, Director, ICAR-NRC on Mithun mentioned the importance of Mithun for social and economic development of the state and raised concern about the non-availability of banking scheme for getting loan for their rearing and lack of insurance, it said. 

He informed that resolution to include Mithun as food animal has already been passed by the Nagaland Legislative Assembly and also cleared by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) but still clearance from FSSAI is pending, the release added.