SHILLONG, JUNE 3: Union Minister of State for the Ministries of Information & Broadcasting and Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Dr. L. Murugan on the second day of his visit to Meghalaya inspected the dairy establishment at Mawiong and interacted with the State government officials regarding the activities taken up in the project. The Minister also interacted with dairy farmers and discussed the activities carried out by the State in the sector and schemes that are available from the central government.
The Minister also acknowledged the huge potential for dairy and animal husbandry in the State, and said that the farmers can make a good income if they utilize the potential. He lauded the efforts carried out for the development of dairy activities in the State. He later visited the Indo-Danish Project of the Cattle Breeding Farm in Upper Shillong where works to produce improved breeding stock for development of cattle in the State to boost production of milk are taken up. This farm also supplies wholesome milk to the neighbouring urban areas and serves as the visual demonstration units in the scientific method of rearing, feeding and management of cattle which includes fodder cultivation.
The Minister also visited the Upper Shillong-based Intensive Cattle Development Project that was established in the State to take up an integrated approach in development of cattle breeding, fodder development etc. The objective of the project is to upgrade the local cows through introduction of better germplasm of the exotic Fresian and Jersey breeds and to induct the local tribal breeders to adopt modern scientific techniques in Animal Husbandry.
Dr. Murugan, while adding that there is a huge market for the products in the State, said that a lot is yet to be done to cater to this demand. He further stated that the State has huge demand for piggery and poultry. This is the opportunity and the concerned departments have to work to make Meghalaya self-sufficient, he added.
Later in the evening, the Minister interacted with officials of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting at All India Radio, Shillong and took stock of the activities and functioning of all the Departments of the I&B Ministry.
On his first day of visit to the Northeastern State, Dr. Murugan took stock of fish farming sites and interacted with fish farmers and beneficiaries of various government schemes under the Department of Fisheries.
The Minister visited a fish farm at Umeit village in Ri-Bhoi district and discussed the various farming activities carried out by the farmers. Dr. Murugan also held a discussion with fish farming trainees at the Meghalaya State Fisheries Research and Training Institute at Mawpun Kshaid, Ri-Bhoi district. He also visited a site in Umiam lake where fish seeds are released to Umiam river.
During his two-day visit, Dr. Murugan spoke at length about the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) and how the central government’s focus has been on promoting growth in the Northeastern region with various schemes underway.
He encouraged locals to pursue fish farming, generate employment opportunities for the local community and contribute to making Aatmanirbhar Bharat. He reiterated Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s mantra, which is “seva with transformation” and said that welfare of the poor is the motto of the government. Highlighting all the major schemes available under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Dr. Murugan urged citizens to capitalize on the opportunities provided by the government.
By Our Reporter
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