Narendra Singh Tomar Visits National Mithun Research Center, ICAR Institute in Nagaland

On the first day of his visit to Nagaland, Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Narendra Singh Tomar visited the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, ICAR's National Research Center on Mithun, and a pineapple farm. Tomar stated that the Government of India is working on the theme of 'Vocal for Local' in the AatmaNirbhar Bharat campaign on a continuous basis.

"During the Covid-19 pandemic, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took the initiative for this, special emphasis was placed on it, and it has been placed on Mission Mode for the country's economic development," he said. Tomar stated that the National Research Center on Mithun is a unique biological resource of Northeast India that must be preserved by all.

"Previously, mithun was reared in a free-range system, but as agriculture expands, forest area shrinks, so farmers should adopt alternate practices for mithun rearing under the semi-intensive system developed by the ICAR-NRC," he explained.

Tomar praised the institute's success in developing technologies that have aided Mithun farmers in their economic uplift, as well as the Center's efforts to improve farmers' standard of living by generating interest and increasing their incomes. He also advocated for more research into the use of Mithun (a type of cow) for maximum benefit to farmers.

Tomar urged the institute to conduct research to determine the nutritional and therapeutic properties of milk and develop a business model, as well as to investigate the fertilizer potential of Mithun dung and urine as an alternative model for natural farming.

Tomar also went to the Mithun farm and exhibition stalls showcasing the Centre's various technologies and products. He discussed the Centre's technologies, such as feed blocks, mineral block dispensers, and region-specific mineral mixtures. On the occasion, Tomar also planted a sapling. In his welcome address, NRC Director Dr. M.H. Khan highlighted the Institute's major accomplishments over the last 33 years.

Tomar also went to the ICAR Nagaland Center, which was founded in 1975. The centre promotes research, extension, and human resource development activities in agriculture and allied sectors, among other things, for Nagaland. The Central Government's strong network of 5 Krishi Vigyan Kendras in Dimapur, Peren, Wokha, Kiphire, and Longleng districts facilitates the dissemination of developed technologies.

Through various schemes, research, and extension activities, the Central Government plays a significant role in improving tribal livelihoods. This ICAR Center has developed 5 location-specific integrated farming system models for different agro-climatic conditions for Nagaland's small and medium farmers, while the dual-purpose breeds Vanraj and Srinidhi birds have been promoted to over 5,000 tribal farmers.

This centre created and disseminated the technique of artificial insemination in pigs, which is very popular among Nagaland's tribal farmers. Thousands of tribal farmers benefit from the Central Government's KVKs. The Union Minister praised the ICAR Center's efforts and urged them to work with vigour.

Later, Tomar visited a pineapple field in Volvam village and spoke with members of the Farmers' Producer Organization (FPO). Nagaland Agriculture Minister G. Kaito, Central Horticulture Commissioner Dr. Prabhat Kumar, Nagaland Adviser on Horticulture and Border Affairs Mathung Yanthan, Vice Chancellor of Central Agricultural University Dr. Anupam Mishra, Director of ICAR Research Complex for North Eastern Region Dr. V.K. Mishra, and other officials, scientists, and farmers were present on this occasion.