VP visits Nagaland's mithun research centre, seeks protection of NE bio-resources

The two states together account for 96 per cent of the total 3.8 lakh mithun population in India.Our scientific institutions should work for development of location specific technologies which are sustainable, climate resilient and culturally in sync with the tribal cultures of the region, Naidu said.During his visit to ICAR-National Research Centre on Mithun, the Vice-President also went to the Central Instrumentation Facility Laboratory where diseases and diagnostics relating to the animal were explained to him.


PTI | Dimapur | Updated: 07-10-2021 18:35 IST | Created: 07-10-2021 18:13 IST
VP visits Nagaland's mithun research centre, seeks protection of NE bio-resources
Vice President, M. Venkaiah Naidu (file photo) Image Credit: ANI
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Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday called upon scientists to come out with innovative research to protect and conserve the rich bio-resources and livestock of the North-eastern region.

Interacting with the scientists and researchers of ICAR-National Research Centre on Mithun and ICAR Research Complex for North Eastern Hill (NEH) Region, he urged them to work towards modernizing agriculture with the adoption of the latest technologies for the progress and prosperity of the NE states. Mithun, a bovine species, is the state animal of Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh. The two states together account for 96 percent of the total 3.8 lakh mithun population in India.

“Our scientific institutions should work for the development of location-specific technologies which are sustainable, climate-resilient, and culturally in sync with the tribal cultures of the region,” Naidu said.

During his visit to ICAR-National Research Centre on Mithun, the Vice-President also went to the Central Instrumentation Facility Laboratory where diseases and diagnostics relating to the animal were explained to him. Naidu noted that the research center has done full genome sequencing of Mithun to understand its evolutionary history across distinct geographical locations.

''This magnificent bovine species is considered as one of the most important cultural resources of the North East and is deeply rooted in the mythology and folklore of the cultural life of the tribes in the region,'' he said.

Naidu complimented the center for seeking to diversify the use of Mithun as a slice of meat, milk, hide, and draught animal. ''I would suggest you make efforts to attract the educated youth towards the conservation of this important animal,'' he said. The Vice-President also commended the ICAR Research Complex for NEH Region for several notable achievements, including the development of 56 crop varieties. He said the institute’s emphasis on promoting integrated farming systems comprising crop, livestock, poultry, fishery, and horticulture is praiseworthy. “I am pleased to know that 50 percent of the poultry breeds reared in the state are of Vanaraja and Srinidhi, which are produced from this center and cater to the needs of farmers in every nook and corner,” he added.

Pointing out that more than 70 percent of the people are directly dependent on agriculture for their livelihood support in the NE region, he urged the scientific institutions to work for the development of location-specific technologies which are sustainable, climate-resilient, and culturally in sync with the tribal cultures of the region.

Referring to climate change, he said there is a danger of the beautiful but ecologically fragile NE region getting impacted by the rise in global temperature. ''Therefore, I urge our scientists and researchers to focus their attention in advance to find solutions to the farmers’ problems likely to be caused by global warming,'' Naidu said.

He said he is happy to know that the ICAR Research Complex is working to evolve sustainable integrated farming systems for improving 'jhum' (shifting cultivation) and restoring degraded lands.

''One good thing that I always appreciate about the North Eastern States is their focus on organic agriculture. In this field, you are showing the way to the rest of India. ''I would also urge other Indian states to learn from the organic farming success story of the North Eastern States,'' the Vice-President said.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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