The Rural Backyard Piggery Scheme of the Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Department of the Government of Meghalaya which was started by the Chief Minister, Conrad Kongkal Sangma, today a programme was held to distribute piglets more than 500 households under Sohryngkham constituency from Mawpdang, Diengpasoh,Mawlyngngad, Umpling and other areas at the Football Ground in Tynring.
On this day were also present the Deputy Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Prestone Tynsong,the local MLA/MDC, Pynïaid Sing Syiem,MDC of Malki-Laitumkhrah, Fantin Lakading, Principal Secretary, G.H.P Raju, traditional heads of the areas, the officials of the Animal Husbandry & Veterinary, officers, doctors of the Veterinary Department and the beneficiaries of the scheme.
It is informed that the State Government has set a goal to complete this scheme for 16,000 households and each will get 3 female piglets and one male piglet.
In his speech at the programme today the Deputy Chief Minister said that after this scheme, another scheme will be started which is to distribute poultry to the public of the State who are living below poverty line.
He said that the Government has set a goal to further increase the allocation to Rs.41 crores and within the month of December, the Government will increase the number of households from 16,000 to 26-30 thousand households which will be a source of great blessing for the poor households.
Furthermore he said that in 2017, Dr.Mukul Sangma distributed 275 cows but by the next day the cows had all reached Bangladesh, therefore such actions should not be carried out because the piglets from the Government should not be sold because an account of the piglets has been recorded and should any of the piglets distributed to them die within a month, the Veterinary Department will give the household/s another piglet.
With regards to this distribution of piglets, Tynsong said that the pigs can reproduce once they reach an age of 8 months and above and they can reproduce up to 12 piglets in a month and if each piglet is sold at Rs.4000/-, then that is a big profit for the rearers.