ICAR-NRC on Mithun organizes 21-Day Winter School

16th January 2025, Nagaland

ICAR - National Research Centre on Mithun, Medziphema, Nagaland, inaugurated its ICAR-sponsored 21-day (16th January to 5th February 2025) Winter School titled ‘Farm-to-Fork Approach for Strengthening Mithun (Bos frontalis) Value Chain and Doubling the Income of Tribal Farmers of North East India’ today. The programme aims to address critical aspects of Mithun value chain development, empowering tribal farmers of Northeast India through innovative strategies.

The Chief Guest, Dr Suresh S. Honnappagol, Former Commissioner, Animal Husbandry, Former Assistant Director General (Education), and Former Vice-Chancellor, Karnataka Veterinary, Animal, and Fisheries Sciences University (KAFASU), emphasized the significance of enhancing the Mithun sector's value chain and praised the active participation of women in the Winter School, urging them to leverage this unique opportunity.

The Guest of Honor, Dr H. Kalita, Head, Regional Centre, ICAR-NEH, Nagaland, highlighted the importance of integrating local knowledge with modern scientific practices to create sustainable Mithun farming systems.

Earlier, Dr Girish Patil S., Director, ICAR-NRC on Mithun and Course Director of the Winter School, provided an overview of the Mithun sector in India. He emphasized the pivotal role of Mithun in tribal livelihoods and its potential to contribute to the economic upliftment of tribal communities. Dr Patil outlined the Winter School's objectives, focusing on knowledge dissemination across the entire Mithun value chain, from production to market linkage, and stressed the importance of capacity-building initiatives for tribal farmers.

The dignitaries lauded ICAR-NRC on Mithun for its efforts in organizing such a comprehensive training programmes. They urged the need for collaborative efforts among researchers, extension workers, and farmers to address the challenges in Mithun production and enhance its role in sustainable tribal development.

The programme covered diverse themes, including Mithun husbandry, feed and fodder development, disease management, reproductive technologies, processing, and marketing strategies. The Winter School will feature leading experts from reputed institutions who will provide practical training and share insights into sustainable Mithun farming practices.

A total of 22 participants, including 12 women, are attending the program.

(Source: ICAR - National Research Centre on Mithun, Medziphema, Nagaland)