Shillong Aug 20: Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Giriraj Singh said that his ministry will extend full cooperation to Meghalaya to take the lead in the Northeast in the Animal Husbandry sector.

Singh gave this assurance when Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma along with Deputy Chief Minister incharge Animal Husbandry and Veterinary, Prestone Tynsong called on him at his office in Delhi on Tuesday.

Sangma apprised the Union Minister on the initiative of the Piggery Value Chain being introduced in the State.

The objective of the initiative is to intensify piggery in the region in a scientific manner and promote piggery value chain. The government is making an endeavour to establish value chain by creating a pool of commercial breeders, scientific rearing, pig feeds to be produced scientifically, etc.

Sangma and Tynsong also highlighted the scope of piggery in Meghalaya and Northeast, while suggesting that huge market potential exist within the region. Sangma also informed that Meghalaya is exploring the market potential with neighbouring countries and have initiated discussion for processed value added pig products to Thailand.

The Union Minister appreciated the intervention being started by Meghalaya and assured to extend all co-operation and support to the State.

Singh suggested Meghalaya to take steps to intensify pig rearing in a scientific manner by introducing quality germ plasm that would ensure economic growth resulting into livelihood.

He said that embryo transplant should be introduced in Meghalaya and research should be conducted with indigenous variety of pigs. He also suggested establishment of a breeding farm in Meghalaya.

Singh also suggested introduction of livestock integration such as pig-fish integration, pig-poultry-fish integration, exotic pigs and crossbreeds which has high production performance.

He said that insufficient availability of quality stock is posing a great hindrance in boosting pig production.

During the course of the discussion, the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, apprised the Union Minister on the intervention being taken to produce quality feed for pig, cattle and poultry.

On this, the Union Minister suggested that Moringa Pig Feed be introduced in Meghalaya and asked the State Government to come up with plans which the central government has agreed to fully fund.

Expressing his confidence in the leadership of Sangma, the Union Minister said that the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying will extend full cooperation to Meghalaya to take lead in the Northeast in the Animal Husbandry sector.

Officials of the Ministry and National Cooperative Development Cooperation (NCDC) were also present in the discussion.