SHILLONG: Chief Minister Dr. Mukul Sangma on Wednesday inaugurated a workshop on Livestock Entrepreneurship at Sanmer Secondary School, Upper Shillong, organized by the Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary, Shillong.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Sangma said that the Government is focusing to ensure employment opportunities for the three million strong population of the State by creating sustainable programmes and policies in association with the Government of India and put in place proper monitoring system to make sure that these programmes reach the target citizens of the State.
The Chief Minister said that 80 per cent of the people of the State who are dependent on agriculture should be taken care of since the economic condition of the State cannot be uplifted without their contribution.
Dr. Sangma also stressed that farmers should become entrepreneurs and should undertake sustainable livelihood programmes and focus on sustainable livestock based on their interest.
He informed that the dairy sector needs to identify 5000 farmers for rearing cattle which will provide 15 litres of milk per day and this will further provide avenues for setting up feed mills of latest technology and large units for milk processing.
Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Minister Deborah Marak encouraged the participants to take up rearing of livestock as a profession terming this activity as a profitable enterprise that would help to improve the socio economic condition of the people.
She also informed the public that financial assistance can be availed from the concerned department.
Stating that there is huge gap between demand and supply of meat consumed in the State, Marak insisted that livestock rearing should be increased with the adoption of new technologies available thereby increasing the per capita income of the people.
During the technical session, the participants were enlightened about the topics ‘Entrepreneurial Skills (Saving) and Concept of Enterprise & Entrepreneurs’.
Also present at the function were Home Minister Roshan Warjri, Urban Affairs Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Zenith Sangma, Parliamentary Secretary Kennedy C Khyriem, Local legislator RV Lyngdoh, besides other dignitaries and local residents