A one-day Stakeholders Workshop on "Semi intensive Mithun Farming as Alternative Source of Livelihood" was organized on 2nd September 2017 at Aizawl, Mizoram jointly organized by ICAR - NRC on Mithun, Medziphema Nagaland & A.H & Vety Dept. Govt. of Mizoram, Mizoram. The Workshop was inaugurated by Hon'ble Chief Minister of Mizoram, Sri Lalthanhawla who was also the Chief Guest. A statue of mithun was unveiled by Hon�ble Chief Minister. Thereafter, the Chief Guest inaugurated the stall of ICAR-NRC on Mithun wherein the technologies developed for productivity enhancement of this species along with value added products developed from milk, meat and hide were displayed. Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra Secretary (DARE) & Director General (ICAR) Govt of India graced the occasion as Guest of Honour. The Local MLA Shri T. Sangkunga also graced the occasion.
The Chief Guest in his address highlighted that Mithun or 'Sial' in Mizo occupies a special status in Mizo culture and to own a mithun is a sign of prosperity as the animal plays an important role in various festivities, rituals, marriage and also to settle disputes among the locals. Thus, it is a potential source of alternative livelihood wherein its other produces like milk and hide in addition to meat need to be explored. He hoped that the newly launched mithun production and development project will address these issues for productivity enhancement and betterment of mithun keepers across the state.
Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Secretary (DARE) and DG (ICAR) assured full commitment of ICAR towards the development of the agricultural sector as a whole in the North eastern states through financial and technical backstopping for the promotion of mithun farming. Further, he mentioned that ICAR-NRC on Mithun will sign a memorandum of understanding with the state and also open two demonstration units to support and provide requisite scientific hand-holdings for promoting semi-intensive mithun rearing in the state. He expressed that NABARD can play an important role in providing financial support to schemes for establishing community-based centres for provisioning various inputs like fortified feed blocks, medicines, hygiene slaughter house, etc. for the benefit of the livestock keepers of the state.
The Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry, Govt. of Mizoram, informed that there are around only 3200 Mithun in Mizoram and looking into the importance of this species, the state has launched Mizoram Mithun Production and Development Project under NEDP wherein the A.H & vety Dept intends to establish one Intensive mithun farm and five semi intensive mithun ranches at Thenzawl in Mizoram.
Dr. Abhijit Mitra, Director, ICAR-NRC on Mithun, Nagaland emphasised potential of mithun as a multi-purpose livestock species as besides meat, mithun can also be explored as a source of milk, hide (leather) and drought purposes in various agricultural purposes as the animal can easily move on the difficult mountainous terrain. He further emphasized the need for a bankable scheme for mithun farming and promoting it as a "nature's gardener".
The Scientists from ICAR-NRC on Mithun Nagaland made presentations in the area of mithun feeding, housing, breeding, management and use and value addition of mithun milk, meat and hide. Mithun keepers from various districts of Mizoram participated and interacted during the technical session of the workshop.
The workshop was also attended by Dr. S.V. Ngchang, Director, ICAR-RCNEHR, Umiama, Meghalaya; Dr. Kthiresan, Dean, CoVS, CAU, Seleshi; Dr. S.V. Bsanath, Head, Regional Station; Dr, Vineet Bhasin, Principal Scientist (AG&B), Animal Science Division, ICAR, New Delhi and officials of State Animal Husbandry Department and other line departments of Govt. of Mizoram, NABARD, Banking institutions and local entrepreneurs.