Mithun
Why in News?
Researchers at ICAR–National Research Centre on Mithun (ICAR-NRC on Mithun), Medziphema, Nagaland, developed an artificial intelligence framework to automatically detect and track Mithun behaviour.
About the Mithun (Bos frontalis)
- Socio-Cultural Identity: Known as the state animal of Nagaland, the Mithun holds massive socio-cultural and economic significance among the indigenous tribes of the North Eastern Hill region.
- Geographical Distribution: Primarily reared in the tropical and subtropical rainforests of Northeast India, specifically in Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, and Mizoram.
- Commercial and Food Recognition: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) officially recognized Mithun as a "food animal" (meat animal), opening up standardized commercial value addition for its milk and meat.
About the ICAR-National Research Centre
- Establishment and Location: Founded in 1988 under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, the premier institute has its main campus in Medziphema, Chümoukedima district (formerly Dimapur), Nagaland, and a second campus in Phek district.
- Core Mandate: Acts as the global hub for the identification, evaluation, characterization, and conservation of Mithun germplasm.
- Primary Functions:
- Scientific Husbandry: Transitioning farmers from traditional, unmonitored forest grazing to semi-intensive scientific rearing systems.
- Health & Traceability: Organizing regular health camps, conducting mass vaccinations against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), and enforcing digital ear-tagging for animal traceability.
- Value Addition: Educating local farming communities on hygienic processing and market optimization for Mithun-derived food products.
