Meghalaya launches livestock insurance scheme

Shillong, Sept 8 (UNI) The Meghalaya government today launched the Livestock Insurance Scheme for farmers in East Khasi Hills district and Ri-Bhoi district of the state.

Launching the scheme here, state Director in-charge, Animal and Husbandry, Dr D Khonglah said the scheme was meant for promotion of livestock sector in the state.

The scheme is to be implemented during 2005-06 and 2006-07 on pilot basis in 100 selected districts. During its pilot stage, the scheme will be restricted to crossbreed, high yielding cattle and buffaloes only, he said.

Of the 100 districts in the country, in Meghalaya, he said, the UPA government had chosen the two districts mainly due to high population of cattle - East Khasi Hills district 8,729 and Ri-Bhoi district 9,045.

Dr Khonglah, who also gave away the insurance certificate to nine cattle rearers, informed reporters here that 439 farmers from both districts had come forward to avail this scheme.

Elaborating on the livestock insurance, the veterinary officials said the scheme was aimed at providing more teeth for disease control and improvement of genetic quality of animals.

In this direction, the Centre had approved a new centrally sponsored scheme on livestock insurance on pilot basis to be implemented during the 10th plan. The continuance of the scheme beyond that will be based on a critical assessment of its performance during this period.

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