GUWAHATI, Dec 1 - The maiden Pig Expo 2016 ended successfully at ICAR-National Research Centre on Pig, Rani, on November 29, according to a press release here today. The North Eastern Council (NEC) extended major financial support for organising the event.
More than 1,500 farmers, researchers, academicians, developmental agencies, entrepreneurs, processors, consumers and other pig sector stakeholders from across the country, especially from the North East participated in the expo.
The two-day programme was inaugurated by Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on November 28. Dr H Rahman, Deputy Director General (AS), ICAR, New Delhi presided over the function and Dr Dilip Kumar Sarma, Director, ICAR-NRC on Pig welcomed the dignitaries and participants.
A vaccine against porcine cysticercosis developed by Indian Immunologicals Ltd in collaboration with GAVL Med, UK and University of Melbourne, Australia, was launched at the inaugural function. The Chief Minister also inaugurated the exhibition arranged on the occasion.
A farmer-scientist interaction was held on the first day, which was chaired Dr VK Taneja, former DDG (AS), ICAR and former VC, GADVASU, Ludhiana. It was attended by experts and scientists from various disciplines.
The second day�s programme was an interface on scientific pig production and pork processing. Dr Taneja chaired the interface, and experts participated in the programme.
A number of farmers spoke about the benefits they have gained by rearing pigs, and expressed their desire to contribute more towards pig production. They also highlighted the constraints in the process. Relevant advice was given to the farmers by the experts.
The valedictory function was chaired by Dr DK Sarma. Khrunuhu Rhakho and Vineikho Sechu from Nagaland were honoured with the breed saviour award for contributing towards conservation of tenyi vo, the local pig breed of Nagaland. Certificates were given to 30 institutes and private organisations that had participated in the exhibition. Altogether 108 piglets were distributed to 83 farmers of three villages of Rani on the concluding day of the expo.