GUWAHATI, Nov 28 - �There is a need to intensify our collective efforts to bring growth to the agriculture sector in the State and the government is making all-out efforts to boost production in livestock and fish to make Assam self-sufficient,� Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal reiterated today at the inaugural function of Pig Expo 2016 organised by the Indian Centre for Agricultural Research� National Research Centre on Pig, on its premises situated at Rani on the outskirts of the city.
Highlighting the need to engage in piggery in a scientific way so that youths can find employment, Chief Minister Sonowal said that pig farming can generate good profit from less investment.
While inaugurating a vaccine named �Cysvax� for T. Solium tapeworm found in pigs, the Chief Minister congratulated the Indian Immunologicals Limited for bringing out the vaccine and said the acceptability of pork and related items would now increase as many people shun pork fearing tapeworm infection.
Urging the scientists engaged in veterinary research to come up with newer solutions to increase livestock production, Sonowal said the research innovations must be applicable in the field and they should bring practical benefits to people.
Reiterating that development of piggery is imperative for nutritional and livelihood security of the people of the rural and tribal areas of the Northeast, Sonowal said piggery can supplement the income of the rural households as it can produce higher yields at low costs. �Pig farming provides quick returns, since the marketable weight can be achieved within six to eight months, and there is a good demand for items such as pork, bacon, ham, etc, in domestic and international markets,� Sonowal said.
Saying that the there is a need to increase the production of pork as there is a tremendous demand for the meat in the Northeast region, the Chief Minister said that ramping up the production volume would curtail import of pigs from states like Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, etc, and would result in revenue generation within the State.
�We wish to organise piggery sector in a scientific way matching the global best practices to promote it as an enterprise that can provide employment to the youths of the State,� Sonowal said.
Agriculture Minister Atul Bora, Cultural Affairs Minister Naba Kumar Doley, MLAs Ramendra Narayan Kalita and Bimal Bora and others were present on the occasion, said an official press release.
