JORSING, 22 Sep: An awareness programme on foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) prevention, scientific mithun health management, and conservation of the indigenous Siangmi mithun breed was held here in Siang district on Tuesday.

The programme focused on sensitising mithun farmers to FMD, highlighting the importance of timely vaccination, biosecurity measures, disease surveillance, and scientific mithun husbandry practices.

Special emphasis was given to conservation, propagation and sustainable management of the Siangmi mithun, an indigenous genetic resource of the region.

Addressing the gathering virtually, National Research Centre on Mithun (NRCM) Director Dr Girish Patil Sstressed the importance of collective efforts by farmers, veterinary authorities, scientific institutions and community organisations in safeguarding mithun health and conserving valuable indigenous genetic resources. He emphasised the importance of disease prevention, scientific husbandry, and responsible management of mithun to ensure sustainable production and benefit for future generations.

Jomlo Mongku Mithun Farmers' Federation chairman Tadang Tamut highlighted the crucial role of mithun farmers and community-based organisations in breed conservation and disease prevention. He called for greater community participation, adoption of scientific farming practices, and collective action to ensure long-term sustainability of mithun-based livelihoods.

The farmers were encouraged to adopt regular vaccination, improved biosecurity, scientific husbandry and timely veterinary care.

The participating farmers and stakeholders committed to work towards a healthy, disease-free and sustainably managed mithun population while preserving the unique Siangmi mithun genetic heritage for future generations.

The programme was organised jointly by the NRCM, the Jomlo Mongku Mithun Farmers' Federation and the office of the district veterinary officer.