The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying conducted a regional training on the 21st Livestock Census focusing on software application and breed documentation for State and District Nodal Officers from Nagaland, Mizoram, Manipur, and Tripura on 12th July 2024, which took place at Hotel Acacia, Dimapur. The training was hosted by the Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services, Nagaland.
During the inaugural session Advisor (Statistics), Jagat Hazarika, ISS from the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD), Government of India, said that the first Livestock Census in India was carried out in 1919-1920. Since then it has been conducted once in every five years. He said the training is aimed to equip 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 between September and December this year across the country.
Hazarika said that 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 said that Livestock sector contributed 5 per cent of total GVA I and the contribution of livestock in total agriculture and allied sector GVA has increased to almost 30 per cent in the country. He encouraged the delegates to train learn on data collection, and get familiarized with the necessary skills to carry out the census task efficiently and effectively.
Director of Economics & Statistics, Neidilhou Keditsu, in his address emphasized the critical role of the livestock census in his speech. He stated that census provides essential data for understanding livestock numbers, assessing government policies, and making future projections. He noted that livestock rearing is vital to the Naga households’ income but highlighted concerns over a significant negative growth rate in the census data, affecting per capita income and the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). The share of the livestock sector in Nagaland’s GSDP has decreased dramatically from 7.31% in 2013 to 2.19% in 2024, impacting the state’s economic security. Keditsu urged for meticulous data collection in the 21st Livestock Census to ensure reliable and accurate data, essential for effective policy execution and economic stability.
Director of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR), Dr. BP Mishra, in his speech, thanked the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying for organizing the structured livestock census training and encouraged enumerators to collect data as accurately as possible. He pointed out that other departments and agencies might also rely on the data gathered by enumerators. He therefore urged the trainees to sincerely learn and actively participate in the process. Mishra said that the census aims to cover all states and union territories, ensuring comprehensive and reliable data for future use.
Secretary of the Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services, Y. Renbothung Tsopoe, in his speech highlighted that this census is crucial for the development of the livestock sector, which supports rural livelihoods and contributes significantly to the agricultural economy. He said the census aims to provide a comprehensive database essential for policy formulation, planning, and resource allocation. He said the objectives of the training include ensuring data accuracy, standardizing methodology, integrating technology, and sensitizing field enumerators on their pivotal role and training modules cover data collection techniques, use of digital tools, field protocols, and data verification. Tsopoe underscored the vital role of field enumerators, whose dedication and accuracy will determine the census’ success, ultimately shaping future policies and programs for millions of livestock owners across the country.
Earlier the session commenced with a welcome address by Additional Director of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services, Dr. N Mhonchan Shitiri, who read out the message of Advisor, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services Kazheto Kinimi, wherein Kinimi stated that accurate enumeration of Livestock and Poultry census is very important in formulating various livestock and poultry development programs and politics. The inaugural ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks by Director of Animal Husbandry Services, DAHD, V.P. Singh, ISS.
The second session featured presentation by ICAR-NBGAR on breeds specific to Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, and Sikkim. Participants engaged in discussions on user credentials, the roles of enumerators and supervisors, and received hands-on training on the mobile application and web dashboard. The software team and the team from DAHD provided comprehensive training on the mobile app and dashboard for State Nodal Officers, District Nodal Officers and supervisors
Altogether, 66 delegates/trainees from Nagaland and other states attended the training programme
(I.Tiakumla.Ao, IA Dimapur)
