India, Asia
IND12 - Bright Hope Nagaland - Farm Development: Partnership Reports
Other Reports Available:
- Report Dated: October 21, 2019
- Report Dated: March 29, 2018
- Report Dated: June 30, 2015
- Report Dated: January 28, 2015
Report Date: February 29, 2016
Update from Subong Aier
Greetings in the blessed name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Through this letter I am sharing with you the present activities of BHN and also the new project that we are going to start shortly.
Recent Events
Involvement in Nagaland Pig Farmers Association
I visited all the NPFA farms in the different districts of Nagaland for evaluation and encouragement. Some farms are struggling but most are doing well. We are expecting some funds from the Government and if it works out, more farmers will be encouraged and we will reach the target by 2020.
During Christmas, New Year, marriages, birthdays and even when people die, people prefer to purchase male pigs. Usually people used to avoid female pigs. I am not sure whether this is related to tradition, cultural taboo or other things? Female pigs are therefore not so much in demand and the farmers are often not able to sell them on time or have to sell them at a lower price which ultimately is discouraging for the farmers. On the other hand, often the sows give more female piglets. A lot of farmers call me to find out ways and means to sell off their pigs, especially the female pigs.
On the other side, a lot of pigs from other states are imported into Nagaland with a cheaper price. These are the pigs that scavenge and feed off rubbish. Therefore the local hygienic breed and the imported pig price does not match. The local pig is costlier because production (feed) is costlier here. The local butchers do not cut local pigs because they do not make any profit from it.
Farm
Our BHN piggery is doing well. We take a break with the poultry from December to February because it is so cold here. This will restart in March after the cold season is over. We have already installed one maize grinder that was given by one of my friends, Dr Temsu, Chief Veterinary Officer, Dimapur. Maize is cultivated on the farm and is growing so well.
Training
The Govt. of Nagaland, through the Department of Agriculture, Vet. & Animal Husbandry, conducts training in different places and last year they conducted two trainings for the farmers at Aoyimkum village at our farm. Some of the topics covered during the training were; crop cultivation for both humans & animals, animal husbandry/farming, health care etc.
Ideas for the Future
The Nagas eat a lot of processed meat imported from neighboring states but in North East India there are no large farms to supply such processed meat. Therefore after thorough study and with much prayer, my family is planning to start a small meat processing unit and sell a different brand of pork which is a collection of pigs from different places. The motive behind this project is to help and encourage the pig farmers. For this purpose we have applied for a loan from NIDC in Moa’s name. If the Cooperation sanction the loan we will be able to help the farmers and if not we cannot establish our dream.
