40 piglets distributed under Piggery Development Prog

NAMCHI, 23 Nov: The Department of AHLF&VS, under the Piggery Development Programme, distributed 40 piglets to four beneficiaries in West district today.
Joint Director, Piggery, AHLF&VS, Dr. HN Sharma informs that a total of 20 beneficiaries were selected from all four districts of the State under the programme and were also provided with training on Piggery farming.
In the first phase of the programme, all the beneficiaries were handed over with cheques of Rs. 50,000 for the construction of sheds and now with the distribution in West district, the first phase of the programme is on the verge of completion, he added.
Dr. Sharma further informed that amongst the piglets distributed, nine were female and one male. There are two farmers who are yet to receive these benefits and they will be provided with the same in a similar programme at Gyalshing soon, he added.
Similarly, the benefits for other districts will be distributed in their respective district programmes. He also informed that the piglets distributed were of Hampshire breed which was bought by the department from Chungthang departmental farm.
While addressing the programme today here at Karfectar Farm premises, Jorethang Joint Director Dr. Sharma urged the beneficiaries to be serious in their farming and told them to contact the departmental authority immediately if their piglets suffer from any kind of diseases.
Director, AHLF&VS Dr. Tika Lucksom in his address appreciated the initiative taken by Dr HN Sharma under whose initiative the programme was started by the government. The main aim of this programme is to create awareness among the farmers of the state on piggery farming. He further said that this was the fastest way of earning for the rural people and one of the pro-people schemes that the government has introduced.
While delivering the vote of thanks Deputy Director, Piggery, AHLF&VS, Dr. Sarman Rai said that the government is the provider while the department is the facilitator and it is up to the farmers to make the initiative successful.
Later, the four progressive farmers of West Sikkim were handed over with 9:1 piglets by the Director, AHLF&VS, Dr. Tika Lucksom. The programme was also attended by Additional Director, Feed and Fodder, South, BS Subba, Veterinary Officer (VO) Karfectar, Dr. Phurba Lepcha and VO Soreng, Dr Seema Rai.