Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong has assured farmers that the government will provide relief to those whose livestock were affected by the African swine fever (ASF).
This assurance was given by Tynsong during his meeting with members of the Hill Farmers Union (HFU) today.
The HFU, led by its President, Commander Shangpliang, General Secretary Alfondbirth Kharsyntiew and Adviser Bremley Lyngdoh, met Tynsong to demand compensation for those farmers who were affected by ASF and to protect against the avian flu strain that has recently hit the country.
The union also wanted the government to provide feed for pigs and veterinary doctors to enable the state’s piggery mission to succeed.
The Deputy Chief Minister informed the HFU that the government will not be able to provide compensation for pigs that died unless they were killed to stop the spread of ASF. The HFU, however, wants compensation for all affected farmers.
The Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department has been tasked with collecting and compiling data on the number of pigs that have died due to the disease in the state.
Meanwhile, on the new challenge of bird flu, Tynsong said that he has called for a meeting to discuss ways to protect the state from the disease.
He has also asked the officers of the concerned department to work with the HFU for the Piggery Mission through cooperative societies.
