Shillong, April 15: Minister in-charge of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, AL Hek said that the State Government has set a target to make the state self-sufficient in producing pork in the state.
Speaking to media persons, Hek said that the State Government is supporting pig farmers in the State through the Meghalaya Piggery Mission and the National Livestock Mission of the Central Government.
Hek said that the Government is working all out in making sure that all the schemes reach to all the beneficiaries. “Many people have benefited from these two pig farming schemes” he said.
He added that at least 500 pig farmers in the State have benefited as the Government has relaxed the procedures for applying for the schemes, whether from the Meghalaya Piggery Mission or the National Livestock Mission of the Central Government.
The Minister said that the officers of the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department after receiving the applications, conduct inspection to all the pig farms, and if the requirements are met, the beneficiaries are given the benefits.
He added that the implementation of schemes is a continuous process as the Government cannot provide to each and everyone from day one while implementing the schemes. “If this year we provide 500 pigs, next year we will provide more and so on in the coming years. If the implementation of the scheme is smooth and the people implement it properly, I think after 5-10 years the state will be able to produce pork,” he said.
While acknowledging that the state still lacks behind in producing pork, the Minister said “The state still needs to purchase pigs from outside the state to meet the demand of meat in the state”.
