Shillong, May 25: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Wednesday inaugurated multiple livestock projects at Upper Shillong at a programme organized by Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary. Also present during the inauguration was C&RD Minister Hamletson Dohling.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said the government has always kept farmers as one of the top priorities for the State as they make up 70 per cent of the population of Meghalaya. “Whatever we do for the farmers affects the majority population of our State and much has not been done in the past and small interventions like these can make a huge difference in their lives,” he said.
He added that if key issues can be addressed and key problems resolved, it can make an exponential growth in farmers’ income.
Conrad harps for Artificial Insemination for livestock
He also felt for the need to introduce new technology, new varieties and new breeds in Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal Husbandry. “The Government has been trying to reinvent the entire process of ensuring that different technologies can be used to increase the income of the farmers,” he said.
The Chief Minister also said that Artificial Insemination is a new technology which is still to be accepted by a majority of livestock farmers in the State. “An incentive of Rs 500 will be given to each farmer per every single AI done successfully and an amount of Rs. 2 crores has been earmarked by the government for this initiative to achieve the goals of improving the local cattle breed and upgrading the cattle population and milk and meat yields,” he said.
He also announced the establishment of a Non-Descript Breed Improvement Farm at Saitsama, West Jaintia Hills, to transform the rural cattle landscape of the State and help in realizing the goal of self-reliance in beef production in the State.
He launched the Sex Sorted Semen AI Programme and also launched the project for the Upgradation of Local Non-Descript Cattle by cross breeding with Ongole breed of Andhra Pradesh.
Visited the Central Semen Bank under the Intensive Cattle Bank Project at Upper Shillong, a state of the art facility in the North East. Impressed by the technology used for extraction & storing of semen & the facilities available here.@PRupala @Dept_of_AHD pic.twitter.com/H1W7ZH9gu1
— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) May 25, 2022
Under the Transformation of Rural Economy through Livestock Intervention initiative, launched the project to upgrade local nondescript cattle by crossbreeding with Ongole breed to enhance cattle population & beef production with the mission to achieve self-reliance@PRupala pic.twitter.com/MYEymuU7KG
— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) May 25, 2022
With the launch of the project the Department has set a target of producing one lakh improved progeny by inseminating the Ongole semen with the non-descript local cows in the next three years to improve milk and meat production in the State.
The Chief Minister distributed F1 Male Calf produced in the IDP project and distributed them to farmers from 12 model villages from all the districts of the State. He also handed over the ISO Certificate to the local milk brand Na Ri of Shillong Milk Union.
F1 Male Calf produced in the Indo Danish Project site at Upper Shillong will be supplied to model villages for crossing with local cattle.
Today, we handed over the F1 male calves to 12 Model villages across the state with the aim to enhance meat production @PRupala pic.twitter.com/rG1hwqJPCg
— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) May 25, 2022
The local ‘Na Ri’ brand of milk & milk products introduced by the East Khasi Hills District Milk Cooperative Union Ltd. is now ISO Certified!
Today we handed over the certificate to the Union. Proud of the efforts of the team. @PRupala @MeNarayanRane pic.twitter.com/iC31z0o99I
— Conrad Sangma (@SangmaConrad) May 25, 2022
