Murugan inspected the dairy establishment at Mawiong and the Indo-Danish project of the cattle breeding farm in Upper Shillong and also interacted with dairy farmers.

“Meghalaya has huge potential for animal husbandry and dairy and farmers in the State can make a good income if they utilise the potential,” the Union Minister said and lauded the efforts carried out by the government for the development of dairy activities in the State. The Minister also interacted with dairy farmers and discussed the activities carried out by the State in the sector and schemes that are available from the central government.

“There is a huge market for the products in Meghalaya and a lot is yet to be done to cater to this demand,” he said, adding that the State has huge demand for piggery and poultry.

“This is the opportunity and the concerned departments have to work to make Meghalaya self-sufficient,” Murugan said. The Indo-Danish project of the cattle breeding farm in Upper Shillong works to produce improved breeding stock for development of cattle in the State to boost production of milk are taken up. The farm also supplies wholesome milk to the neighbouring urban areas and serves as the visual demonstration units in the scientific method of rearing, feeding and management of cattle which includes fodder cultivation.

The Union Minister also visited the Upper Shillong-based Intensive Cattle Development Project that was established in the State to take up an integrated approach in development of cattle breeding, fodder development etc. The objective of the project is to upgrade the local cows through introduction of better germ plasm of the exotic Fresian and Jersey breeds and to induct the local tribal breeders to adopt modern scientific techniques in Animal Husbandry.

The Union Minister also interacted with officials of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting at All India Radio, Shillong and took stock of the activities and functioning of all the Departments of the I&B Ministry.