On 26th September 2020, ICAR-NRC on Mithun conducted a brainstorming workshop on “Finalization of Bankable Mithun Farming” involving the National Bank of Agriculture & Rural Development (NABARD), State Level Banking Committee (SLBC) and Department of Veterinary & Animal Husbandry of all the Mithun rearing states namely Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram and Nagaland. in collaboration with officials of NABARD from the North-East states.

Mithun (Bos frontalis), the magnificent and unique bioresource of North-Eastern Hilly States serves as a means of livelihood security of lakhs of Mithun farmers. However, unlike other livestock, Mithun farming is not yet bankable as result the Mithun farmers are deprived of reaping the advantages of the Government Schemes including the National Livestock Mission launched by the Government of India. ICAR-NRC on Mithun, the only Institution committed for the continual development of Mithun and its rearer has been constantly trying to address this issue with the banking and credit institutions.  It is worth mentioning that the present workshop is a sequel to the stakeholder workshop for finalizing the techno-economic parameters for developing a bankable scheme for Mithun farming held during 2018-19.

Dr. Abhijit Mitra, Director, ICAR-NRC on Mithun while flagging the informed the house on the present Mithun production system and ways forward for its improvement with scientific inputs and emphasized the urgent need of developing bankable Mithun farming as Mithun is already covered under the National Livestock Mission (NLM) launched by Government of India.

Dr. Mitra urged upon the financing institutions to come forward considering the unique production system of Mithun supporting the economic livelihood of many farmers in the region.

Prof. S. Pan presented a Bankable Mithun Scheme elaborating on financial implications, technical feasibility, and economic viability.

All the issues including length of scheme period, interest moratorium, possibilities of credit subsidy and diversification were deliberated at length as to how Mithun farming can be bankable taking the interest of stakeholders and financing agencies into a win-win proposition. It was agreed that after incorporating the suggestions and technical inputs given during the workshop, a revised bankable scheme will be communicated to NABARD. The deliberation made in the workshop will not only pave the way of fulfilling the need for credit support for Mithun farming but it will be a  game-changer towards entrepreneurship development involving Mithun Farmers.

From NABARD, Gopa Kumaran Nair G, GM, Itanagar,  M. S. Rao, GM, Imphal, S. N. Mallick GM, Aizwal and L. Leivang, GM, Dimapur, and Dr. Vivek Pathania, DGM/Faculty Member, National Bank Staff College, Lucknow attended the program virtually. The Convenors of the SLBC of the respective states namely  DK Mahato, AGM, SBI, Arunachal Pradesh; Girin Sharma, AGM, SBI, Manipur; Lalhnilawmi, Chief Manager, SBI  Mizoram and Mr. Abinash Hembram, AGM, SBI  Nagaland also attended the program. Dr. Vineet Bhasin, Principal Scientist from ICAR Headquarter, New Delhi, Scientists and Technical officers from ICAR-NRC on Mithun,  Officials from the Department of Veterinary & Animal Husbandry Arunachal Pradesh Manipur, Mizoram Nagaland

Dr. M.H.Khan, Principal Scientist, ICAR-NRC on Mithun pronounced the vote of thanks.