Nagaland: Chümoukedima women farmers benefit from goat distribution

A scientist–farmer interaction-cum goat distribution programme was organised by ICAR–Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh under its NEH Programme in collaboration with ICAR–NRC on Mithun and ICAR–KVK, Dimapur. The programme, held for female livestock farmers of Chümoukedima district, was themed “Empowering Women through Scientific Goatery and Goat Seed Village Development: Pathways to Sustainable Livelihoods and Income Generation in NEH Region.”
The programme was graced by Dr. Kathiravan Periasamy, Principal Scientist, ICAR–NRC on Mithun; Dr. Hari Om Pandey, Principal Scientist, LPM Section, ICAR–IVRI, Izatnagar, Bareilly; Dr. Phool Kumari, Senior Scientist and Head, ICAR–KVK, Dimapur; Dr. Yathish H. M., Senior Scientist; and Dr. L. Sunitibala Devi, Scientist, ICAR–NRC on Mithun.
During the interaction, women farmers were trained in scientific goat-rearing practices including doe and breeding buck selection, controlled mating, kidding care, low-cost housing, balanced feeding with local fodders, mineral mixture supplementation, provision of clean water, and ration formulation. Health management aspects such as biosecurity, deworming schedules, vaccination, ectoparasite control, and early disease reporting were also emphasized. Farmers were further guided on maintaining simple records and tracking cost–benefit outcomes.
As livelihood support, three Assam Hill goats were distributed to each of 14 female farmer beneficiaries (a total of 40 goats), along with two Assam Hill breeding bucks to serve as community bucks at a 20:1 ratio. Instructions on acclimatization and quarantine were provided. Question–answer sessions addressed local constraints and encouraged women-led microenterprises.
The organisers assured follow-up support and discussed linkages with veterinary services, self-help groups (SHGs), and markets to sustain the goat seed-village model.