ICAR-National Research Centre on Yak (NRCY), Dirang organized fifth Yak Mela at Tom Hill, Nyukmadung in West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh on Friday.
The objective of Yak Mela is to promote yak rearing and conservation as well as the scientific yak farming in the country.
Yak Mela was organized in collaboration with ICAR-NIRJAFT, Kolkata, Indian Army (XXII Mahar Regiment), 4th ITBP, 30th Bn. SSB, NIMAS, AH & Veterinary department, Krishi Vigyan Kendra and district administration of Dirang circle.
During the programme prizes were given for best brokpa of the year (yak farmer) and exhibition stall exhibited by the brokpas among yak farmers to encourage yak rearing community for adoption of scientific yak husbandry practices.
ICAR-NRC on Yak, the sole institute worldwide for exclusive research on yak, has been in service to double the income of yak farmers through technology adoption and supported 150 farmers each with basic amenities like tent, tarpaulin, complete feed blocks, concentrate feed for yaks, mineral mixture, first aid kits for human and animals, solar lantern, rain coat, gum boot among others.
On the occasion, the institute also demonstrated different technologies developed by the institute to promote entrepreneurship among the youth of the state.
In his inaugural address MLA Phurpa Tsering appealed to the brokpas (yak farmers) to find out the solutions for major problems with yak husbandry in consultation with the scientists of ICAR-NRC on Yak.
Dr. P. Chakravarty, director, ICAR-NRC highlighted the objective of the Yak Mela that aims to promote scientific yak husbandry practices in the country.
The programme was also graced by Dr A N Roy, director, ICAR-NIRJAFT, Kolkata, Toko Babu, ADC, Dirang, Military & Paramilitary officers, professors of College of Veterinary Science, AAU along with all the HoDs of Dirang circle. More than five hundred yak farmers of different pockets of West Kameng district participated in the Mela.