Department of Information and Public Relations

Press Release No. 210/08

CM INAUGURATES REGIONAL SEMINAR ON CATTLE AND BUFFALO BREEDING

Meghalaya Chief Minister, Dr Donkupar Roy today inaugurated the 2-day Regional Seminar on the ‘Strategies for Strengthening Liquid Nitrogen, Procurement, Transport and Distribution System in the North Eastern States for Better Implementation of National Project on Cattle and Buffalo Breeding’ organized by the State Implementing Agency, National Project on Cattle & Buffalo Breeding of the Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary, Meghalaya at Shillong Club, Shillong in the presence of the AH&Vety Minister, Mr E C B Bamon, Commissioner & Secretary A H & Vety, Mr P Niak and the Assistant Commissioner (AH), Govt of India, Ministry of Agriculture, Department of AH, Dairying and Fisheries among others.

The main objective of the National Project on Cattle and Buffalo breeding is to improve the indigenous Cattle and Buffalo in respect of their productivity and cost efficiency and to increase income of farmers.

Meghalaya Chief Minister informed that such programme is very encouraging in order to uplift the economy of the people in the State especially in the rural areas. He also hope that sharing the vast experience of the technical experts from outside the State and the region and by taking part in the discussion and interaction by the participating States in the technical sessions of this Regional Seminar will bring out the best recommendations and suggestions that will be put into use for the benefit of the farmers community at large.

Dr. Roy said that livestock and poultry is an integral part of agriculture and contribute significantly not only to rural economy but also it provides employment to the people at large. He also informed that livestock production in the State has no limitation considering its co-operative sector, NGOs, Clubs and others will play their roles as mass movement for overall development of livestock in the State.

The Chief Minister informed that the State has many small farms with minimum production and there is a big gap in understanding their problems while developing technologies. Therefore, he stressed the need to apply some kinds of remedies while making programmes or policies in favour of small farms for higher production and sustainability. He however cautioned that the recommendations and outcome of the Seminar should be economically viable and effective for uplifting the rural economy.

Among others who spoke on the occasion were AH&Vety Minister, Mr E C B Bamon, Commissioner & Secretary A H & Vety, Mr P Niak and the Assistant Commissioner (AH), Govt of India, Ministry of Agriculture, Department of AH, Dairying and Fisheries, Joint Director (Academic) cum- Dean, Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), UP and Director of AH&Vety Department, Meghalaya, Dr D Khonglah.