High meat yielding variety of goats distributed in three constituencies

NAMCHI, 22 Jan: The “High Meat Yielding Variety of Goat distribution programme” of the Animal Husbandry Department has reached Poklok-Kamrang, Namchi-Singithang and Melli constituencies.
Today, a total of 180 goats were distributed to beneficiaries from the three constituencies. MLA Namchi-Singithang, Binod Rai was the chief guest of this programme while it was also attended by Director AH, LF & VS Department Dr. Tilak Luksom, Additional Director Karfectar Farm BS Subba, and Joint Director Dr. DK Pradhan.
Addressing the programme, the MLA said that the government has always been concerned about the welfare of farmers and many schemes have been launched to help them rise from poverty.
Talking about the scheme he said that the government wants to make Sikkim self reliant in meat consumption and provide progressive farmers an opportunity to earn more. Further stating that there is huge demand of meat in our state and we have to fulfill this demand ourselves he urged all the beneficiaries to increase the number of this high meat yielding variety of goat.
Deputy Director Karfectar, Dr Tilak Sunar who is also the nodal officer of this goat distribution programme during the technical session of the programme informed the beneficiaries about the objectives of the programme. This programme was launched by the government to fill the gap between the demand and supply of ‘chevon’ [goat meat derived from adult animals] in the state, to strengthen the farmers’ economy and also to meet the demand of defence personnel, he informed.
He also informed that the department is distributing Singhari (local native breed), Saanen and Boer Buck Cross variety of goats which has been adapted in different parts of the country. The Boer breed will reach weights of 95 kg and can give 2 kg of milk with 7-9% of fat content and 17-19% of SNF. This breed grows fast and produces meat with less bone and less fat.
He also informed the beneficiaries’ that the department has strict directives for this programme and the beneficiaries have to sign a bond by which they would have to adhere to the technical norms for housing, feeding, management, disease control and insurance coverage. Farmers cannot sell the parent stock or sublet to other persons for rearing and maintain only exotic crossbreed goats as parent stock, farmers have to maintain register and submit quarterly reports of the animals to the department and if they fail to do so the department will accordingly take action.
The programme was also addressed by Director AH, LF &VS Tilak Luksom, JD (S) Dr DK Pradhan, and Deputy Director Dr. Mala while the programme was also attended by Panchayats and officers from the department.