Chizokho Vero
Kohima | July 22
Hundreds of poor farmers in Nagaland are receiving support to rear Mithun for sustained enhanced livelihoods. And the returns are more than dividend.
Mithun, known as the ‘Cattle of Mountain’ is an important bovine species of North Eastern hill region, which plays an important role in the socio-economic and cultural life of the tribal population of Nagaland.
Farmers under Phek district has testified that through Mithun rearing, they are now able to pay their children’s school fees and promote their livelihood. It has enabled many to built homes, purchased vehicle, power tiller, rice mill etc. Thanks to efforts put by Kohima based Entrepreneurs Associates (EA). EA, while promoting eco-friendly sustainable livelihood activities has undertaken a project that promotes Mithun as a unique micro enterprise to farmers, which in turn leads to conservation of forest.
The success of this project was testified by Mithun farmers during a seminar on “Mithun rearing for enhanced livelihood and forest conservation” here today at Hotel Vivor in the presence of Governor of Nagaland P.B. Acharya as the chief guest.
With the support of the community and Sir Ratan Tata Trust Mumbai, EA has fenced over 120 square kilometers of forest land in five villages in Phek district namely Porba, Pholami, Losami, Enhulumi, and Thetsumi village making them Mithun sanctuaries for repopulation of Mithun and conservation of forests.
Governor announces cash award for Mithun farmers
Governor PB Acharya has announced a cash award of Rs 10,000 each for Mithun farmers under three categories- the healthiest Mithun, the farmer rearing the largest number of Mithun and the most progressive village in rearing Mithun.
Addressing the seminar today, Acharya challenged the participants to set a target of enhancing the Mithun’s population of present 35 thousand to hundred thousand in a year.
“I am proud that it is our state logo which symbolizes our state’s rich cultural heritage,” the Governor said. He also expressed happiness that National Research Centre on Mithun (NRCM), ICAR based in Jharnapani, Medziphema is the only Mithun research centre in the world, which has been providing much needed support in the form of vaccinations for the Mithuns.
EA coordinator (CEO) Neichute Doulo said Nagaland must develop a promotion policy for Mithun rearing and forest conservation. “Mithun as the state animal with huge cultural and social values for the Naga people deserve policy promotion,” he said.
According to Doulo, the state animal is not just an exotic animal. It is the best economic security for the poor, the best vehicle of poverty alleviation and the best crop for wealth generation for the rural farmers.
With intensive Mithun rearing under semi captive breeding, profitable enterprises can be developed all over Nagaland. This will generate revenue for the state and meat nutrient sufficiency, he maintained. “While we value Mithun in our state logos and official seals, let us also revive our cultural merit of rearing Mithuns for prosperity,” Doulo added.
300 villages rear Mithuns in Nagaland
Commissioner & secretary for veterinary & animal husbandry M.K Mero said 300 villages in Nagaland are rearing Mithun. The villages are mostly in Tuensang, Phek, Mon, Kiphire and Zunheboto districts.
The department has already supported 100 villages mostly on Mithun projects through special grant assistance and other 200 villages are yet receive assistance. Mero said that Nagas have a very long tradition of rearing Mithun and stressed on the need to promote further and increase its population.
Bank loan scheme for Mithun rearing in offing
NRCM-ICAR director Dr. Abhijit Mitra informed that effort is on to provide bank loan scheme for Mithun rearing in Nagaland through the Nagaland State Cooperative Bank Limited (NSCB) and NABARD under skill development programme.
He revealed that Nagaland at present has 35,000 Mithuns, followed by Manipur 12,500 and Mizoram 3500. Stating that Mithun rearing is profitable, which promote livelihood of the rural populace, he said, “we need policy support from the Government.” (With inputs from DIPR)
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