Neiba Kronu and others during their visit to Mithun Farm at Medziphema on October 15. (Morung Photo)
Mithun population decreased by 43% since 2003
Our Correspondent
Medziphema | October 15
Nagaland’s Planning & Coordination, Land Revenue and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Neiba Kronu today stressed on the need to take up Mithun farming for livelihood sustainability in Nagaland.
Speaking at the 35th Foundation Day-cum-Stakeholders Meeting of Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-National Research Centre on Mithun (NRCM), Medziphema, Kronu said that the Mithun is a prestigious animal and also incorporated in the emblem of Nagaland.
The Minister assured all possible support from the state government for enhancing Mithun rearing in Nagaland.
He also assured support to ICAR-NRCM Medziphema towards promoting Mithun rearing as it is the only Mithun research centre in the world.
Lauding Arunachal Pradesh for doing well in rearing of Mithun, Kronu encouraged other north eastern states, especially Nagaland and Manipur to intensify Mithun rearing.
Later, the minister also released booklets on success stories on semi-intensive Mithun rearing units established under Tribal Sub-plan and Establishment of Semen Bank and implementation of Artificial Insemination in Mithun.
He also inaugurated the Semen Processing Laboratory building at Mithun Farm, Medziphema.
Mithun population declining in Nagaland
Nagaland’s Agriculture Production Commissioner (APC) Y Kikheto Sema said that Mithun population in Nagaland is showing a declining trend.
Giving a comparative statistics of Mithun population over the last four censuses in Nagaland, he said the population of Mithun has decreased by 43% in the state as it came down from 40,452 in 2003 to 31,355 in 2007, 35,258 in 2012 and 23,123 in 2020.
Also expressing that the gradual decline of forest land is a serious concern, he suggested supporting the farmers for fencing, bio-fencing, foot-trap etc., and also providing financial support by formulation of bankable projects through interest-free credit linkages.
He said that Mithun occupies an esteemed position above all other livestock for the Naga people and remains an inseparable part in terms of socio-economic value and cultural tradition.
“We need to upscale productivity of the Mithun with technological interventions, whereby, the existing system of rearing should be shifted from Traditional system to Semi-Intensive system of rearing in its original breeding tracts,” he said.
This, he said, can be achieved by providing shelters for Mithun, development of water shed areas, providing drinking water facilities, developing vaccination ramps, salt feed yards, providing herdsman for better attachment for easy handling in times of epidemics, etc.
Calling for proper planning of the government and stakeholders for increasing Mithun farming in the traditional as well as semi-intensive methods, the APC asserted that a coordination meeting will soon be held between the state government, ICAR-NRC and Veterinary & Animal Husbandry department.
Dr Mitra suggests Mithun Day, Mithun festival
Dr Abhijit Mitra, Director, ICAR-CIRC Meerut and former Director of ICAR-NRCM, Medziphema said that NRCM, Medziphema plays a significant role as it is mandated to work on specific research on Mithun.
He said that Mithun is used as the emblem of two states – Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland.
Beside other advantages of Mithun, including milk and leather, he said, “It is secular meat,” and stressed on the need to promote its rearing as it is also naturally organic.
Urging the state government to give importance to Mithun, he suggested for declaring Mithun Day and holding Mithun festival so as to propagate the importance of Mithun farming and also to attract tourists as it is available in only 5 countries of the world.
He also stressed on the need to form Mithun Committee of the north eastern states to frame a comprehensive policy on commercial aspects and popularization of Mithun.
He also challenged the Mithun farmers to take a pledge to bring back Mithun to a real glory.
Earlier, welcome address was delivered by Dr MH Khan, Director ICAR- NRCM Medziphema while vote of thanks was proposed by Dr Nazrul Haque, principal scientist, ICAR- NRCM.
