Kiphire District, known for its favorable climatic conditions, stands as a promising area for livestock and poultry farming. Despite this potential, the district’s meat production currently meets only 50% of its requirements. This issue was highlighted by Dr Tsilise, the District Livestock Development Officer (DLDO), during a recent capacity-building training session.
According to Dr Tsilise, Kiphire’s climate and the availability of raw materials for feed make it an ideal location for developing the livestock and poultry sector. The district produces substantial quantities of maize and other fodders, and even wastelands unsuitable for traditional agriculture could be used for fodder cultivation, mithun, and goat rearing. However, despite these advantages, the district still faces a significant shortfall in meat production.
The 20th Livestock Census indicates that meat availability in Kiphire meets only half of the district’s demand, with the remaining 50% being imported from outside. “We focus on pork because pork consumption in the District is 70-80 percent,” he said.
One of the main constraints is the non-availability of sufficient quality piglets at affordable prices and the need to procure concentrated feeds from outside the district, despite the local abundance of raw materials.
To address these issues, Dr Tsilise suggested establishing pig breeding farms and feed processing plants at strategic locations within the district to achieve self-sufficiency in meat production. This recommendation was made during the four-day Capacity Building Training on Meat Production held at Hopongkyu Memorial Hall, Kiphire Town, starting on May 27, 2024. The training was organized by the Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services, Kiphire.
During the training, Dr Khumjungse, VAS, discussed the scope of piggery farming in the district, while Dr Talitemjen, VAS, addressed the potential for poultry farming. The program was chaired by Lithrongtsi, Junior Farm Manager.