The 35th Foundation day celebration and stakeholders meet was held at ICAR-National Research Centre on Mithun at Medziphema on 15th October 2022. Special Guest Neiba Khronu Minister for planning and Coordination, Land Revenue and Parliamentary Affairs inaugurated the Semen Processing Laboratory building and expressed gratitude to the ICAR-National Research Centre on Mithun for developing the infrastructure for the welfare of Northeast Indian people. The ICAR- National Research Centre on Mithun is the only research center in the world which is a matter of pride for the people of Nagaland and Northeast people and its significance of Mithun in India. Narrating that even Mukesh Ambani had started breeding Mithun in Gujarat, he opined that it could replace the Jhum cultivation in the Northeast state. He also said that Semen processing did a huge improvement in the breeding of Mithun compared to the old traditional method. He initiated that more intensive breeding of Mithun should be done for the attraction of tourists, commercial and consumption purposes.
APC and Commissioner and Secretary to Government of Nagaland Y Kikheto Sema, IAS in his short speech said
Mithun is a wonderful and unique bovine species of the hill region. It occupies an esteemed position above all other livestock for the Naga people and remains an inseparable part in terms of socio-economic value and tradition. Mithun is well adapted anatomically and physiologically both in warm and cold climatic conditions. Currently, there are four defined Mithun strains namely Arunachal, Nagaland, Manipur, and Mizoram named after the North East states.
The Mithun is a symbol of prestigious status for a Naga. Traditionally, the rearing system is – Free Grazing in-situ (natural habitat) – the owner does not need to invest anything. Farmers do not provide any additional feeding and were kept under Natural forests in a semi-wild state.
Kikheto said we need to upscale the productivity of the Mithun, through technological interventions, whereby, the existing system of rearing should be shifted from the traditional system to a Semi-Intensive system of rearing in its original breeding tracts by facilitating providing shelters, watershed areas, drinking water, vaccination ramps, salt feed yards and also providing herdsman for better attachment for easy handling in times of epidemics. He also compared the census of Mithun 40452 in the year 2003 which declined to 23123 in the year 2020 due to being killed by Wolf/Tiger, the decline of forest land, and lack of crossing over to other boundaries for fear of destruction of agriculture.
Dr. Abhijit Mitra, Director, ICAR-CIRC Meerut, and Former Director ICAR-NRC Mithun, Nagaland expressed the hardships of reaching the 35th Foundation Day celebration and Stakeholders meeting since 15th October 1987. He spoke about the species of Mithun and its low maintenance in feeding and that a Mithun calf weighed 25kg during birth and within five years it become 500kg. He also urged the gathering to stop sacrificing the mighty Mithun for the feast that should be reserved for breeding then only Mithun can grow better.
Earlier it began with the ICAR song and lighting of the lamp. Awardees were also felicitated for outstanding services. Mithun farmers from Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, and Nagaland were also given inputs. Welcome address was delivered by Dr. M.H khan, Director ICAR-NRC Mithun. Vote of thanks by Dr. Nazrul Haque Principal Scientists, ICAR -NRC Mithun. The delegates also visited the Mithun Farm. The program ended with an interactive session of Mithun Farmers with NABARD and SBI with co-ordinators Dr. Kezhavituo Vupru and Dr. Sapunii S Hanah. Framers-Scientists interaction with Dr. Kober Khate and Dr. Vikram. The event was presided over by Dr. M.H Khan, Director ICAR-NRC on Mithun.
(Sashimong, IA Medziphema)
