Gangtok, December 9, 2011

The consumption of meat in Sikkim is maximum but the production, supply of meat as demanded in the market has not been adequately met. Keeping in view the consumption rate of various meat especially mutton, pork, beef and poultry along with the demand placed by the army and other paramilitary forces deployed in the state the government started the poultry mission inclusive of encouraging the farmers in rearing of pig, goats, ox, poultry and many more since
long.

Following the sustainable rise in economy of the farmers along with good livelihood practices the government even put a ban on poultry and its products to enter state from outside which is still prevalent.

While speaking to the secretary Animal Husbandry, Livestock, Fisheries and Vetenary Services Department (AHLSF&VS) DP Sharma informed that the government along with the department has been taking various steps in encouraging the farmers in the animal husbandry sector but still the supply of meat is not adequately met.

Like wise the government is even taking every necessary measures in
motivating the educated youth in the animal husbandry sector, the training along with the materials required are also being provided to the interested ones but the candidates interested are very few to come forward for the said sector presently.

As per the animal census of 1997 on goat it has been learnt that there existed a total of 82,938 goats across state which increased to 1, 10,120 as per the census of 2007. The decadal growth of goats’ population in state was 32.77% whereas annual growth was about 3.27% only which is far below to the expectation or target set by the department and the government. The government considering the feeble increase in population this year has provided Rs. 2 crores
to the department to spend under expansion of goats’ population in state. The department has already scheduled the distribution pattern in all the 28 constituency and each constituency will have 15 beneficiaries where an individual beneficiary will be facilitated with four numbers of female goats. The total number of distribution across state will be about 1680 female goats and the goats will be of best quality is informed.

Apart from that the department to improvise the breeding quality of the goats in state has also planned of availing good breeding bucks from a reputed farm from outside state for cross breeding and if the said program is successful then the department expects that within a span of 6-1years period the state will possess top quality of goats that too to the tune of 3300.

Likewise the Secretary mentioned that the requirement of mutton, pork and beef is very high in state. The program on farming goats has been emphasized which will be implemented shortly where as on piggery as well the government is even taking strong steps. As per the survey report of 1997 the total number of pigs in state was to the tune of 26,975 only where as on 2007 the same increased to 38,390. The
decadal growth of pigs is recorded to about 32.77% whereas annual growth is about 4.23%.

The government and the department concerned considering the demand of pork meat this year even distributed piglets amounting to Rs. 1crores. The piglets distributed is said to be of the highest quality which can weigh much more compared to the locally farmed pigs. The department apart from providing piglets for meat purpose is even encouraging the farmers to have a farm where the piglets of good variety and quality can be reared.

Furthermore secretary hopes that if all the program is implemented properly as visioned by the government then within a very short span of time the state will not only mitigate the demand with in the state but outside state too as the consumption of pork, mutton is on high demand in the northeast as well.

Sikkim Mail

 

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