‘Mithun (Sandang) Mela’ held; problems and prospects identified

Pothashang News Service: Imphal, February 5, 2019: Indian Council of Agricultural Research – National Research Centre on Mithun (ICAR-NRC, Mithun), in collaboration with Central Agricultural University (CAU), Imphal and Apunba Imagi Machasing Manipur (AIMS), Rangna Global Enterprises,  Marjing Industries Pvt. Ltd. along with Machi Village Authority and its community organised ‘Mithun Mela cum Technology Awareness’ programme at the Bungtung-See Kung, Machi Village, Tengnoupal District, Manipur on February 4, 2019.

Speaking as the guest of honour on the occasion, Dr. Abhijit Mitra, Director of ICAR-NCR on Mithun, Medziphema, Nagaland said that the North Eastern region of India is already home to many Mithuns and there are already Mithun rearing communities. Emphasizing on the benefits of rearing Mithun locally known as sandang, he said Mithun is useful not only for its meat but also its milk and other products. Acknowledging the socio-economic and cultural role played by sandang or mithun in the lives of North East communities, Dr. Mitra said “Whenever we talk about Mithun, we should remember five Ms. First M is for Mithun, second M is for meat, third M is for milk, four M is for money and fifth M is marriage.” He said rearing Mithun as occupation can comfortably sustain the social and economic lives of the people. Dr. Mitra said that Mithun is indeed a “walking ATM” from where anyone could not only save money but also withdraw money with reasonable returns.  He advised the Mithun farmers who had come to attend the programme to opt for the correct and scientific method of rearing Mithuns as to sustain prosperous community but also increase the overall economic growth of the state and the country.

The chief guest of the programme Prof. M. Premjit Singh, the Vice Chancellor of Central Agricultural University (CAU), Imphal focused on need for forming a Mithun or sandang rearing ‘club’ and associating the same club with farmers in the hills and valley of Manipur for further result oriented programmes after procuring the necessary funds from government agencies. He added that rearing sandang with vision and target orientation can indeed boost the overall economy of Manipur.

Giving additional information on rearing of sandang or Mithuns in Manipur, Dr. H. Chaoba Singh, Director, Veterinary & Animal Husbandry, Government of Manipur said a lot more can be done for developing the interests of rearing Mithuns through his department. He also advised the farmers on various ways to treat unhealthy sandang and young calves. He also extended his directorate’s help and aid in areas needed to provide a healthy environment for taking good care of animals.

Mr. Morung Makunga, former minister, government of Manipur, on the occasion stated that Mithun or sandang plays a great role in the socio-economic, cultural and economic lives of the people of his community, the Maring tribe of Manipur. He said even the naming convention of children in his tribe begins with a sacrifice of Mithun so that the child grows up and lead a life “worth his name”. On the occasion also the Maring community of Machi Village submitted a memorandum to the Dr. Abhijit Mitra, Director of ICAR-NCR on Mithun requesting him to grant various facilities including barbed-wire fencing of geographical areas identified for rearing Mithuns.

The other dignitaries who spoke on the occasion and attended the programme include Dr. C.A. Srinivashmurthy, Director, Research, CAU, Imphal, Dr. Ratan Kumar Saha, Director, Extension, CAU, Imphal and veteran journalist Yambem Laba. During the occasion, the visiting dignitaries assured of further institutional based help for building a favourable condition so that the initiatives taken so far are further extended.

The programme began with the welcome address given by Dr. Atom Sunil Singh, Director, South-East Asia Centre for Agricultural Sciences and Humanities (SEASCASH) under the aegis of Apunba Imagi Machasing (AIMS), Manipur. The vote of thanks was given by Dr. L. Nabachandra Singh, School of Agronomy, COA, CAU, Imphal.