SHILLONG: The state meets 50 per cent of the demand for meat through imports and needs to increase local production, Chief Minster Conrad Sangma said on Thursday.
Addressing a gathering at the inaugural function of a vocational training centre of the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department at Manai West Khasi Hills’ Mairang, Sangma said, “The consumption of meat in the state is about 50,000 metric tonnes and close to 50 per cent of this requirement is imported from outside. There is a great opportunity for our farmers, especially in the rural areas, to take advantage of this shortfall by increasing local production of meat.” Informing the gathering about the global demand for ‘organic meat’, the chief minister highlighted the immense potential that Meghalaya and its farmers have in this sector.
“Meghalaya can play a pioneering role in the production of good quality meat and export this product to other parts of the country and even neighbouring countries. This is a sector that can transform the rural economy,” the Chief Minister said.
Sangma also informed the gathering that the government will launch the state’s ‘Organic Milk Mission’ shortly to boost organic milk production.
He also emphasised the need for creating the right programmes and policies to generate opportunities and avenues for employment in the rural areas will also decrease the rural to urban migration.
Sangma was accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong and Minster in charge Water Resources Metbah Lyngdoh.
Speaking on the occasion the chief minister assured that the government’s commitment towards holistic development of the state. He said that the government is taking extra effort to ensure that the programmes and policies being framed are in sync with the needs and demands of the present times.
Terming the opening of the centre as a step in the right direction the Chief Minister urged the farmers and the people of the area to take advantage of the services that the institute has to offer.
“A lot of people might be thinking about their future step after completing this training, on how they will move forward, let me tell you that the AH & Veterinary Department under the Deputy Chief Minister has been working really hard and planning on how it can create the opportunities once the training is done. I am here to tell you that we are taking keen interest not just to inaugurate this building but to ensure that at the end of the day our people get livelihood and ample economic opportunities,” Sangma added.
The chief minister also assured to look into the matter of shortage of manpower in the department that has resulted in some of the similar institutes in other parts of the State not being able to function at the optimum level.
Stating that more than seventy percent of the State’s economy is dependent on agriculture and the allied sectors the Chief Minister stressed on the need to develop this sector in order to create jobs and livelihood to the people.
