Guwahati: In a major boost to indigenous livestock conservation and tribal livelihoods, the Nagami Mithun of Nagaland has been officially registered as a distinct breed by the Breed Registration Committee of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
The Breed Registration Certificate was presented on Tuesday at a national ceremony in New Delhi by Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan, marking a significant milestone for Nagaland and the wider Northeast.
The certificate was formally received by ICAR–National Research Centre on Mithun (NRCM) Director Dr Girish Patil S and scientist Dr Harshit Kumar, along with members of the research team, during the Animal Breed Registration Certificate and Breed Conservation Award Distribution Ceremony held at the NASC Complex, New Delhi.
Senior officials present at the event included ICAR Director General and DARE Secretary Dr Mangi Lal Jat, ICAR Deputy Director General (Animal Sciences) Dr Raghavendra Bhatta, Additional Secretary (DAHD) Varsha Joshi, and ICAR–National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources Director Dr N H Mohan.
The registration application was prepared by a multidisciplinary team of scientists from ICAR–NRC on Mithun, Nagaland, and the ICAR–National Dairy Research Institute, and the breed has been allotted 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 known for its robust muscular build, black coat with characteristic white stockings, inverted triangular face, prominent dorsal ridge, and massive corrugated horns that curve upward with pointed tips.
Reared mainly for meat and ceremonial purposes, adult males weigh between 470 and 500 kg, while cows yield about 184–193 kg of milk over a lactation period of around 300 days. The breed holds deep socio-cultural and economic importance for Nagaland’s tribal communities, with an estimated population of nearly 23,000 animals as per the 2019 livestock census.
Officials said the formal recognition will pave the way for focused conservation, scientific breeding programmes, and policy-backed livelihood support. “This registration will strengthen breed improvement initiatives and enhance income opportunities for Mithun-rearing communities in Nagaland and across the Northeast,” said Dr Girish Patil S.
As part of conservation efforts, ICAR–NRC on Mithun has already established two conservation units at Khonoma and Thevopisumi in Nagaland. The institute is also supporting farmers to set up semi-intensive Mithun rearing units and conducting capacity-building programmes to promote scientific Mithun production practices.
The recognition of the Nagami Mithun is being seen as a landmark step in safeguarding one of India’s most distinctive indigenous bovine genetic resources while reinforcing Nagaland’s cultural and agricultural heritage.