Shillong, Meghalaya witnessed a significant gathering as the Indian Chamber of Commerce, in collaboration with the North Eastern Council and the Ministry of DoNER, convened a two-day conference centered on the development of livestock and poultry in the region. The event, held on February 27th and 28th, sought to unite experts, policymakers, and industry leaders to explore avenues for growth within the sector. Discussions spanned advancements in breeding techniques, disease management strategies, and the establishment of robust market linkages, all while emphasizing government initiatives and potential investment prospects. The overarching goal was to stimulate sustainable growth, enhance productivity, and bolster rural livelihoods across the North East.
The conference began with an opening address delivered by Mr. Larsing M. Sawyan, Co-Chairman of the Meghalaya State Committee of the ICC, setting the stage for a keynote speech by Mr. M. Iboyaima Meitei, Adviser (Horticulture) at the NEC, Ministry of DoNER. The event also featured contributions from Dr. Bibeka Nanda Saikia, Dean of the College of Veterinary Science at Assam Agriculture University, Guwahati, and Mr. S. C. Sadhu, IAS, Secretary of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary for the Government of Meghalaya, who attended as a Guest of Honour. The inaugural session concluded with a Vote of Thanks from Shri Ishantor Sobhapandit, Regional Director-NER of the Indian Chamber of Commerce.
During the conference, Mr. Meitei highlighted the NEC’s Vision 2047, which aims to achieve self-sufficiency in milk, egg, and fish production, urging stakeholders to contribute insights to address sectoral challenges. Dr. Saikia emphasized the 21st century’s designation as the “century of livestock,” advocating for technical interventions to drive growth. Mr. Sadhu underscored the sector’s potential to create employment and stimulate economic development.
The conference drew participation from a diverse array of stakeholders, including academicians, scientists, policymakers, market leaders, and representatives from institutions such as the College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agriculture University, ICAR, the British Deputy High Commission in Kolkata, the National Fisheries Development Board, the Assam Livestock Development Agency, the Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development Department of Meghalaya, the Assam Live Stock and Poultry Corporation, the Indian Poultry Equipment Manufacturers Association (IPEMA), and the Poultry Federation of India.
Over the two days, discussions encompassed a wide range of critical topics, including policy frameworks, farm practices, marketing strategies, food safety, production enhancement, technological interventions, disease and vaccine management, Geographical Indication (GI) tags, insurance claim challenges, and the commercialization of poultry production. Speakers stressed the importance of implementing measures to achieve self-sufficiency in the livestock and poultry sectors within the North Eastern Region. The dairy department of Meghalaya proposed the creation of a dedicated dairy policy and a task force to promote the sector.
The Department of Animal Husbandry of Meghalaya highlighted the importance of implementing the Rashtriya Gokul Mission and the National Livestock Policy. The Assam Livestock and Poultry Corporation discussed Project Pratham, aimed at advancing the pig sector. ICAR scientists recommended backyard poultry production and called for more research into poultry breeding strategies. They also addressed disease outbreaks and the use of genotype vaccines for control. The College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agriculture University, recommended the need for a Poultry Act.
The event, attended by over 150 delegates, including farmers, entrepreneurs, and government officials, fostered a collaborative dialogue focused on the development of the livestock and poultry sectors in Northeast India.