The Mobile Veterinary Unit (MVU) was flagged off jointly by Union Cabinet Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, GoI, Parshottam Rupala and Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio at Secretariat Plaza, Nagaland Civil Secretariat, Kohima on 21st October 2022.
Union Minister Parshottam Rupala speaking at the function, said that it is an auspicious occasion for the State of Nagaland to flag off the Mobile Veterinary Unit in every district which will help farmers, particularly in far flung areas, to keep their animals healthy and bringing medical facility to their doorstep. He said that the flagging off of the veterinary van in the State, Prime Mister’s vision of New India which is to increase the health care facility of not only the citizens of India but including the healthcare facility of animals, has become a reality as it has now reached every border of India including Nagaland. Rupala urged the Veterinary Department to make full use of the facility so as to keep the animal population growing and also timely treatment given to animals through the mobile facility will result in good production and in return, Nagaland will soon become self sufficient in producing milk, meat and eggs for consumption.
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said the veterinary mobile unit is much needed in the State to reach to the animals particularly in the far flung areas. Rio opined that the MVU will travel to remote areas and provide Veterinary Health Care through a single window delivery system in the form of making diagnosis, treatment, minor surgeries, collection of samples, vaccinations, Artificial Insemination (AI) and medicines etc. Rio further envisaged that the induction of this vehicle unit will immensely benefit the livestock farmers especially in a State like Nagaland where connectivity is a main constraint for providing effective and timely veterinary service. He also encouraged the farmers and entrepreneurs to start rearing and investing in piggery dairy, fisheries and other animal activities to increase production and to stop importing dairy and meat products from other states.
Rio also said that though 70% of the population of the State of Nagaland are dependent on agriculture and livestock, yet sadly, Nagaland still lacks the mechanism to check the health of the animals which is imported to the State. He therefore, appealed to the Veterinary Department to set up a breeding farm for pigs in every district so that quality meat can be produced within the State, further adding that animal feeds should be produced in the districts which will be economically viable for the farmers. Under GoI assistance, the State customized 16 vehicles for 12 districts, one each for Elisa Laboratory, Veterinary Field Assistant Training Institute, Vaccine Bank and State Level Monitoring Centre.
AHoDs/HoDs and officials from Agriculture and Allied Departments attended the flagging off ceremony.
(Esuihangle, IA)
