Agreement signed for providing pork technology

SHILLONG, SEPT 28: To ensure quality, healthy and enhanced production of pork in the state, the Meghalaya government on Saturday entered into an agreement with the government of Alberta Province (Canada) for providing technology for enhanced production of meat as well to ensure that the meat meets the quality for its healthy consumption.

Chief minister Mukul Sangma said the agreement is in line with the government’s initiative to ensure that people are able to access quality meat free from diseases as well as to motivate the local entrepreneurs to embark in investing in this sector with a capacity to upscale the margin of profit. He was of the opinion that there is huge potential in this industry not only in the state, but the region and the country as a whole.

Sangma said that the quality of pork and its by- products needs to be ascertained as no one knows the source from where it comes. “He said, It is important to ascertain the source of the meat from where it comes as many diseases are linked to consumption of pork.”

Sangma also felt that investment in livestock can be a worthwhile and sustainable livelihood to many. He said, “If our people can rear livestock which will be economically beneficial for them as well as provide an opportunity to sell products which are of high nutritional value where the quality of the meat cannot be questioned, it is worthwhile for the government to embark on such initiatives.”

Sangma also underscored on the need to provide quality meat at affordable prices, keeping in mind “Best practices and usage of technology that will ensure that meat and it’s by products are
available for the citizens not only in good quality but in affordable prices as well.”

Saturday’s agreement for support and provision of technology for best practices in livestock rearing which is seen by the government as a catalyst to encourage people to embark in livestock rearing as a sustainable livelihood option was signed by the state government and Grant Winnton, Senior Director, Trade and Relations, Agriculture and Rural Development, Policy Strategy and Inter-State relations, government of Alberta, Canada.- By Our Reporter