HT Bureau
DIPHU, Oct 11: In a collaborative effort to enhance agricultural practices and empower local communities, the deputy director of Buffalo Breeding Project, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Department, Manja, joined hands with the Karbi Farmers Association (KFA- Tingku Engti) to organize a comprehensive training program on scientific buffalo rearing.
The initiative, aimed at imparting valuable knowledge and skills, targeted the villagers of Desoi Rongpi and Doldoli.
Related Posts:
The deputy director, Buffalo Breeding Project, Manja and in charge district veterinary officer (DVO), Dr. Dilip Mahanta said Karbi Anglong still has vast land which is suitable for buffalo farming.
‘‘Villagers can take up buffalo farming as it is one of the profitable sources of income. Buffalo produces more milk that is high in protein,’‘ he added.
The DVO further added that there is a plan to start a buffalo farming project in Desoi Rongpi village.
“There is a plan to start a buffalo project here and for that two buffaloes will be provided to the village headman Lindok Rongpi,” he stated.
The DVO also said in the last few years due to African Swine Fever many pigs died and the owners faced losses, adding, ‘‘In recent years the number of pigs has increased as many have taken up to pig farming.’‘
He said the virus of African Swine Fevers do not fade away fast. It can survive for many years and become active when in contact again with animals.
Mahanta urged the villagers to adopt a scientific way of rearing goats, pigs and buffaloes for profit.
The state veterinary dispensary officer, Dhansiri, Dr. Sabnam Engtipi interacting with the villagers said good variety pigs should be selected for rearing.
‘‘For faster growth and healthy pigs deworming should be done from time to time and fed with good feed. Calcium tablets and iron tablets should be given to mother pigs (sow) with new born piglets,’‘ she added.
She also said villagers have the habit of tying pigs to betalnut trees or under some shade, ‘‘There should be a pig sty and the floor should be cemented to maintain hygiene.’‘
Dr. Engtipi said Azolla, an aquatic fern, is a perfect livestock feed rich in protein and pig farmers can cultivate them in ponds. The plants can be obtained from the Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Department.
She said the villagers rearing pigs should think commercially, not just rear one or two. She said pig farmers can insure their pigs and in case the pig dies the owner will get compensation for the loss.
Earlier, the president, KFA, Tingku Engti also spoke on the scientific method of buffalo, pig and goat rearing. He also encouraged the villagers to take up pig and goat farming.
