Our Correspondent
Kohima | March 25
Nagaland state produces 45.07% of the total requirement of animal husbandry products worth Rs. 1022.61 crores leaving a shortfall of 54.93% as per the sample Survey Report of 2020-21.
Out of this shortfall, the state imported animal husbandry products worth Rs 211.94 crore in monetary terms, according to the Annual Administrative Report 2021-22 of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services tabled at the just concluded 11th session of 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly.
The report maintained the Nagaland state which produces 45.07% of the total requirement of animal husbandry products as “very positive sign” that there are immense potentials and scopes for animal husbandry development in the state in terms of demand and supply.
“However, despite the gap that exist today in terms of demand and supply, the import quantum of animal husbandry products is gradually reducing when compared with the base level of 2001-02 which in monetary terms stands at Rs 375.00 crores and in 2020-21 import value is been calculated at Rs 211.94 crores,” the report stated.
This declining import quantum suggests that there is a positive correlation between State Domestic products and the existing human population.
‘Food habit of Nagas are changing’
Besides, the per capita availability of meat and milk in the state is satisfactory, inspite of being low, the fact remains that the food habit of Nagas are changing in modern era as urban population relies on balanced food like rice, meat, milk, vegetables, fruits, wheat and its products and not highly dependent on meat as it was a decade ago, the report stated.
Livestock and poultry farming has been an integral part of the people of Nagaland since time immemorial and are symbolic to the health and wealth of a Naga family.
Animal husbandry practices have been playing a pivotal role in supplementing family income and generating employment to the rural poor apart from efficient utilization of agriculture products and byproducts not suitable for human consumption.
“This inherent aptitude of the people needs to be exploited to provide valuable animal protein essential for maintaining physical health of the people as well as to provide draft power for cultivation especially in the foothill areas of the state,” the report stated.
