An online training programme on “Establishment of entrepreneurship and marketing of piglets and pork products” was organised by the ICAR, Umiam for around 250 pig farmers of North Eastern Region of India.
The two day online training which concluded today was conducted under Biotech-KISAN (Krishi Innovation Science Application Network) programme sponsored by Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology.
The programme was identified as one of the important activities for showcasing during ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebrating 75th Anniversary of India Independence.
The ICAR collaborated with nine partner institutes/centres of the project from all the North Eastern states to hold the virtual training for pig farmers of eight aspirational districts in Ri-Bhoi (Meghalaya), Mamit (Mizoram), Chandel (Manipur), Hailakandi (Assam), Namsai (Arunachal Pradesh), Kiphire (Nagaland), Dhalai (Tripura) and West Sikkim (Sikkim).
Dr. R. Laha, Principal Scientist, Division of Animal and Fishery Sciences (DAFS), ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region, Umiam Meghalaya and Hub Facilitator (Project Coordinator) of the programme briefed about the purpose of the training.
Dr. Mahesh Chander, Head, Extension Education Division, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, Izatnagat, Uttar Pradesh, chief guest of the inaugural session of the programme and a renowned personality in the field of entrepreneurship development and organic farming, given stressed on organic pig farming and organic pork production and its marketing with good packaging and suggested the youth pig farmers to grab the market of north east for income generation.
Dr. K.K.Baruah, Head, DAFS, ICAR RC NEHR, Umiam, Meghalaya spoke about scope of Agri Business Incubation (ABI) in the region.
During the programme addresses and lectures to pig farmers were also delivered by experts from the institute and ICAR-National Research Centre on Pig, Rani, Guwahati; Dr. Atul Borgohain, Associate Director of Extension Education, Assam Agricultural University,Khanapara, Guwahati in the field of entrepreneurship development and marketing related to improve varieties of piglets production in village level, value added pork products, artificial insemination in pigs etc.
