SHILLONG: An agreement will be signed by the State Government with livestock farmers to rear only the best cows for good quality milk.
“An Expression of Interest has been prepared by the department and prospective farmers should sign the agreement to rear only the best cattle. We must adopt the best practices; we must have the best cows that can give the highest quantity of milk,” Chief Minister Mukul Sangma said on Thursday while inaugurating a workshop on Livestock Farming for Entrepreneurship and Sustainable Livelihood for the farmers of Mylliem, Mawryngkneng and Umsning clusters at the Intensive Cattle Development Project, Upper Shillong.
According to the Chief Minister, with a large number of cows being reared, there would be need for enough feeds and water and for this the Government would assist young potential entrepreneurs, who would be identified by the department, to start feed factories to produce nutritious, high-quality feeds for the cattle.
Sangma informed that the government has come up with the idea of Livestock Mission to promote dairy farming particularly in the Mylliem region.
“Under the Mission, the Government has sanctioned Rs.37 crore whereby two areas across the State – East Khasi Hills and Ri Bhoi district and Garo Hills (Selsella, Betasing and Zikzak) – have been identified for dairy farming, while other blocks would be identified for piggery and poultry development. Under the project, 500 households would be provided with 1000 cows in the first phase.
“All projects that have been conceptualized revolve around the farmers to provide a real sustainable livelihood to all the people of the State,” he stated.
