SHILLONG, Sep 25: Notwithstanding the fervour in which the government showcased the distribution of piglets among livestock farmers under the Rural Backyard Piggery Scheme of the National Livestock Mission, it has now come to light that many of the piglets have reportedly died in many of the villages even as there are apprehensions from some quarters that they might have been suffering from some disease.
As per reports, several piglets died within few days or a week after they were distributed to the farmers. The death of these piglets is a huge loss for these farmers.
Few of the farmers have even revealed that some piglets died the following day after they were handed over to them.
According to the farmers, piglets have died within a week or two weeks after the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary department distributed them.
Claiming that the piglets distributed under the government scheme were unhealthy, the farmers pointed out that the piglets had developed some kind of ulcer in their mouth and rashes in their body before eventually dying.
“It is a huge loss to the livestock farmers since we are expecting to benefit from this piggery scheme launched by the state government,” the farmers said.
It may be recalled that as many as 320 livestock farmers of Umsning and Jirang constituencies recently received piglets under the piggery scheme during a programme held at Byrnihat, where Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma was also present.
Reportedly, piglets distributed among farmers in Umsning have also died.
According to official sources, pigs of local breed have also taken ill after they were kept in the same backyard as the piglets.
“We are collecting samples and it will be sent for testing to know the cause of death of these piglets,” official sources said.
When attempts were made to contact officials of the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary department, none were available.
A preliminary inquiry has revealed that a driver, hired to supply piglets to the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary department, had recently dumped the carcasses of the nine piglets at a drain in Mawdiangdiang, New Shillong Township.
The dead piglets were first noticed by passers-by. Subsequently, the Mawkasiang Dorbar Shnong was informed as the area falls under its jurisdiction. The department could not collect the samples since the carcasses were already buried by the Dorbar Shnong.
