Livestock sector share in Nagaland’s GSDP down by over 5% in 10 years

Dimapur: The share of the livestock sector in Nagaland’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) has decreased dramatically from 7.31% in 2013 to 2.19% in 2024, impacting the state’s economic security.

This was stated by Nagaland’s director of economics and statistics Neidilhou Keditsu while addressing the regional training on the 21^st livestock census for state and district nodal officers from Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur and Tripura here on Friday.

Noting that livestock rearing is vital to the Naga households’ income, he, however, expressed concern over a significant negative growth rate in the census data in the state, affecting per capita income and the GSDP.

Emphasising the critical role of the livestock census, Keditsu said the census provides essential data for understanding livestock numbers, assessing government policies, and making future projections.

He urged meticulous data collection in the 21^st livestock census to ensure reliable and accurate data, essential for effective policy execution and economic stability.

Attended by 66 trainees from Nagaland and other states, the training programme focused on software application and breed documentation for the census.

The programme was conducted by the Union ministry of fisheries, animal husbandry and dairying and hosted by the Nagaland animal husbandry and veterinary services department.

Adviser (statistics), Union animal husbandry and dairying department (integrated sample survey), Jagat Hazarika, said the training is aimed at equipping the state and union territory officers with the necessary tools, including a mobile app and software, for efficient data collection during the census, which will be conducted across the country between September and December this year.

Hazarika said the livestock census is the main source of data for proper planning and formulation of livestock welfare programme for bringing further improvement in future policies and for implementation of various programmes in the animal husbandry sector.

He exhorted the delegates to learn data collection, and get familiarised with the necessary skills to carry out the census task efficiently and effectively.

Director of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, Dr BP Mishra said the census aims to cover all states and union territories, ensuring comprehensive and reliable data for future use.