Mokokchung, October 20 (MTNews): Union Cabinet Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Parshottam Rupala is on a two-day visit to Nagaland from the 20th to the 21st of October, 2022.
This is his maiden visit to the state. On October 20, he held a review meeting with MLA & Advisor, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services and Women Resources Development, R. Khing, MLA & Advisor, Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Evaluation, Economics and Statistics, L. Khumo, and Department Officials from Agriculture, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services and Fisheries & Aquatic Resources at Dzukuo House, Raj Bhavan, Kohima.
The meeting was presided over by Agriculture Production Commissioner (APC) Y. Kikheto Sema, IAS, and PowerPoint presentations were given by Department Officials from Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services and Fisheries & Aquatic Resources. Following that, there was interaction with the Union Minister.
During the meet, the local authorities apprised him that there are more than 2,000 mithun farmers in 297 villages of the state.
“There are government schemes for the rearing of cows and pigs, providing up to 50 per cent subsidy, and similar programs should be proposed by the state administration to encourage mithun farming in Nagaland,” Rupala said.
“Your state should send the request and we will consider it,” he told the Nagaland officials.
Pointing out that livestock in Nagaland has decreased by 40 per cent, while the human population has been increasing, Rupala said that a comprehensive plan to boost animal husbandry should be sent to the Centre, besides proposals on the requirement of the state and details of projects which have been pending should be submitted.
He also asked the state departments to provide details of funds provided by the Centre and its utilization in the state.
He stated that Nagaland was not able to fully utilize the funds provided during the 2021-22 financial year and did not send proposals for the current fiscal.
The Union Minister assured that he would consider need-based proposals that would benefit the farming community and entrepreneurs. He encouraged Department Officials to use modern and scientific technology for the welfare of the people through the Ministry’s various programs.
The Union Minister also met with Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio at his official residence, which was followed by a dinner hosted by Minister of Agriculture and Cooperation G. Kaito Aye in his honour at Hotel Vivor.
The Union Cabinet Minister will visit Kiphire (Aspirational District) on Friday to review the Centrally Sponsored Schemes and Central Sector Schemes of the Government of India with the Deputy Commissioner and Department Officials concerned before departing for New Delhi in the evening.