AALO, AUG 25:
The first-ever Mithun Mela-cum-Health Camp and Siangmi Breed Awareness Camp was held on Tuesday at Kunu Yami village under Kamba ADC Circle in West Siang district, bringing together mithun farmers, experts and officials to promote scientific and sustainable mithun farming.
The programme was organised by the Arunachal Mithun Farmers’ Federation in collaboration with TAMFWA. Arunachal Pradesh Chairman for Information Technology and e-Governance Nyamar Karbak attended the event as chief guest, while Arunachal Pradesh State Food Commission Chairman Tarh Tarak and West Siang Deputy Commissioner Mindo Loyi were the guests of honour.
The dignitaries visited mithun farms at Kamba, Kato and Kunu Yami villages, where more than 120 mithuns were showcased.
The event aimed to promote mithun farming, create awareness about the Siangmi breed and encourage scientific management and conservation of the animal, which holds deep socio-cultural significance for the people of Arunachal Pradesh.
Welcoming the participants, Geyi highlighted the importance of the mela in supporting mithun farmers and preserving the animal’s traditional significance.
West Siang District Veterinary Officer Yani Ngomdir advised farmers to ensure timely vaccination and proper animal healthcare. He also apprised them of various government schemes and programmes available for the welfare and development of mithun farmers.
West Siang Deputy Commissioner Mindo Loyi appreciated the organisers and described the event as an important initiative for farmers and society. He urged people to continue and strengthen the traditional ‘LURA System’, which has an important role in the social and cultural practices associated with mithun.
State Food Commission member Maji Chokar said the government was working towards better planning and support mechanisms for mithun farmers. He also urged the Arunachal Mithun Farmers Federation to expand its activities to other districts so that more communities could benefit from such initiatives.
As chief guest, Nyamar Karbak described the event as a historic gathering of mithun farmers and called for transforming it into a Pan-Arunachal initiative. He stressed the need to discourage indiscriminate sacrifice of mithuns and encouraged farmers to adopt scientific and sustainable farming practices. He also urged farmers to increase the number of mithuns showcased in future editions and work collectively to strengthen the sector.
Retired Deputy Commissioner and APARC member Hento Karga, Kamba Additional Deputy Commissioner Ejum Angu and scientists from the ICAR-National Research Centre on Mithun, Nagaland, also shared insights on mithun breeding, health management, conservation and scientific farming practices.
The event saw participation from mithun farmers from Siang district, members of the public and senior citizens, reflecting growing interest in conserving and promoting mithun farming and the Siangmi breed.
The programme concluded with a call for collective efforts towards the conservation, scientific management and sustainable development of mithun farming in Arunachal Pradesh.
