IMPHAL, December 2: Due to lack of insurance cover for live stocks, around Rs. 1 crore sanctioned by the Central government for those farmers rearing live stocks is likely to be returned, stated Veterinary and Animal Husbandry minister Govindas Konthoujam.
He was speaking in a function where Murrah Buffaloes were distributed to farmers of Bishnupur district at the Bishnupur Veterinary Complex today. The North East Council (NEC) is funding the adoption of milch Murrah Buffaloes in and around Loktak Lake through the State department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry.
In the first phase, selected farmers from Kumbi, Thanga, Moirang and Bisnupur benefitted from the buffalo distribution. This breed of buffalo can produce huge quantity of milk, he said.
As farmers of the State don`™t provide insurance cover to their live stocks, the sanctioned amount for life stock insurance from the Central government is likely to be returned. The farmers of Manipur must insure their live stocks because if anything happens to the animals, the insurance cover will make it sure that some reasonable amount is refunded to the owner, Govindas affirmed.
He further said that the state government will soon take up a project of Mithun animals for the people in the hill districts with an estimated cost of Rs. 6 crore. Piggery farming will be initiated in Andro, he added.
The buffaloes distributed today were bought from Haryana at a cost of Rs 68,000 each and airlifting a buffalo cost Rs 11,000. The state government has deposited Rs. 1.18 crores for buying 150 buffaloes in the first phase. This buffalo can give 10 to 25 litres of milk per day, Govindas said.