Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan presented the Breed Registration Certificate at AP Shinde Hall, NASC Complex, New Delhi on January 14.
New Delhi, January 15 (MExN): In a significant development for indigenous livestock, the ‘Nagami Mithun’ breed from Nagaland has been officially registered by the Breed Registration Committee of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
Union Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, presented the Breed Registration Certificate during the Animal Breed Registration Certificate & Breed Conservation Award Distribution Ceremony at AP Shinde Hall, NASC Complex, New Delhi on January 14.
The certificate was formally received by Dr Girish Patil S, Director, ICAR–National Research Centre on Mithun (NRCM), Nagaland, Dr Harshit Kumar, Scientist along with other team of Scientists.
Senior officials from ICAR and the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying were present on the occasion.
The Nagami Mithun breed registration was applied by a multidisciplinary team comprising Dr Harshit Kumar, Dr Girish Patil S, Dr Kobu Khate, Dr SS Hanah, Dr Kathiravan Periasamy, Dr K Vupru, Dr Abhijit Mitra, Dr MH Khan (ICAR–NRC on Mithun, Nagaland), Dr SS Mukharjee and Dr A Mukherjee (ICAR–National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal).
The breed has been registered with the accession number INDIA_MITHUN_1400_NAGAMI_08001.
Predominantly found across Kohima, Peren, Chümoukedima, Zunheboto, Phek, Tuensang, Kiphire, Noklak, Shamator, Mon, Wokha, Tseminyu and Longleng districts, the ‘Nagami Mithun’ is characterised by a strong and well-built muscular body, predominantly black coat colour with white stockings, though white-patched and piebald patterns are also observed. “Animals possess an inverted triangular face with a straight forehead, a prominent dorsal ridge in both sexes, and massive, corrugated horns at the base that curve upward with pointed tips.”
Primarily reared for meat and ceremonial purposes, adult males weigh between 470-500 kg. The breed holds high social, economic, and cultural significance for tribal farming communities, with an estimated population of 23,000 animals as per the 2019 livestock census.
This registration is a crucial step towards the scientific recognition, conservation, and sustainable use of this unique genetic resource. Dr Girish Patil S highlighted that it would strengthen policy support, breed improvement programmes, and livelihood opportunities for Mithun-rearing communities of Nagaland and the wider Northeast region.
The ICAR-NRCM has established two conservation units for the breed in Khonoma and Thevopisumi in Nagaland. The centre is also supporting farmers to set up semi-intensive Mithun units and conducting capacity-building programs on scientific Mithun production.
