Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh’s Minister for Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, and Veterinary Affairs, Gabriel D. Wangsu, urged piggery entrepreneurs on Wednesday to shift from traditional practices to commercial farming, emphasising its significant potential for economic growth and self-sufficiency.
Addressing participants at the valedictory ceremony of the ‘Catch Them Young’ skill training programme on pig husbandry at Nirjuli, Wangsu highlighted that the future of farming in the state lies in adopting commercial practices, which are essential for empowering the youth and fostering sustainable development.
The minister also voiced concerns regarding the improper selection of beneficiaries for various government schemes.
He stressed the need for a fair, transparent, and merit-based process to ensure that assistance reaches the right individuals.
Additionally, Wangsu emphasised the importance of bio-security in livestock farming, urging the trainees to adopt best practices that will help prevent disease outbreaks and ensure long-term, sustainable production.
The ‘Catch Them Young’ initiative, organised by the state’s Department of Animal Husbandry, Veterinary & Dairy Development, aims to provide comprehensive training in livestock and poultry husbandry.
It seeks to equip educated but unemployed youth and farmers with the skills necessary for self-employment in the agricultural sector.
The first batch of 30 trainees successfully completed their intensive training in pig husbandry on Wednesday.
The training, which began on March 13 at Dobam village near Karsingsha, was designed to give participants hands-on experience in modern farming techniques.
Wangsu took the opportunity to engage with the trainees, discussing their experiences and gathering feedback on how to improve the programme.
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He assured them of continued government support and mentioned that potential adjustments would be made to maximise the initiative’s effectiveness.
As part of their training, the participants had exposure visits to the Mithun Mela in Keyi Panyor district, the Oomkar Farming Hub in Assam, and the NRC-Pig Research Center in Rani, Assam.
They also received expert guidance from experienced veterinary officers and specialists, including Manoj Basumatary, known as the ‘Pigman of Tezpur’ in Assam.
The ‘Catch Them Young’ programme is part of a broader initiative to provide vocational training across various sectors, including pig husbandry, poultry farming, goat and sheep rearing, dairying, and other agricultural practices, aiming to build a more self-reliant and skilled workforce.
