02/05/2021
Mithun could be an essential component of the sustainable ani-
mal production system of the region. They are of enormous eco-
nomic and social importance in the life of the people of the re-
gion. This animal can be exploited and developed as very good
meat animals besides improvement of their milk production
potentiality. Higher butter fat percentage (8-10%) of milk pro-
vides avenues for production of value added milk products to
fetch high price. Good quality leather can also be processed
from mithun hide. Conservation and preservation of this unique
species is therefore of primary importance as it is being threat-
ened due to inbreeding, inter-species breeding with cattle and
indiscriminate destruction of the habitat. The Indian Council of
Agricultural Research established the National Research Centre
on Mithun at Medziphema in Nagaland to undertake systematic
studies on the scientific husbandry, breeding of mithun and its
diversified uses.
