A review meeting on the implementation of the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) 2026-27 under Livestock Sector Reforms in Nagaland was held at Zone Niathu, Chümoukedima, on July 11. The programme was organised by the Animal Husbandry Statistics Division, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, in collaboration with the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, Nagaland.
Delivering the welcome address, Director, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, Nagaland, Dr. Kuokehebi Gwirie, welcomed the officials from the Ministry and thanked them for visiting the State and extending continued guidance and technical support. He stated that the department, established in 1964 had for many years carried out its responsibilities despite limited financial support.
He described SASCI as a well-designed and performance-based initiative with clearly defined parameters and timelines that would bring greater transparency and accountability in implementation. He expressed confidence that the review meeting would provide officers with better clarity on their roles and enable them to work more effectively for the welfare of the people.
In his inaugural address, Adviser (STATS/NDLM/SASCI), Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, Jagat Hazarika, said the purpose of the visit was to review the implementation of SASCI 2026-27 in Nagaland and understand the challenges faced by the State. He informed that recognising the growing contribution of the livestock sector to the economy, the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, Government of India, had allocated Rs. 3,000 crores under SASCI 2026-27 for all States. Hazarika stated that States had been grouped into four categories based on the size of their livestock sector, with Nagaland placed under Category D. He said the scheme provides performance-based incentives to States that meet the prescribed qualifying and performance criteria. He explained that the assistance was linked to capital investment, including long-term loans and eligible capital expenditure, and encouraged participants to openly discuss issues specific to the State so that practical solutions could be worked out.
Secretary to the Government of Nagaland, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, Angelina Tajen, IAS, in her speech, said the livestock sector remained an important pillar of Nagaland’s economy and reiterated the department’s commitment to ensuring that every intervention under SASCI and the National Digital Livestock Mission (NDLM) translated into meaningful benefits for livestock farmers.
She described SASCI as a significant initiative of the Government of India that provides incentive-based financial support to States for livestock sector reforms. To strengthen implementation, she informed that the department had assigned 10 Joint Directors to oversee all 17 districts, ensuring closer monitoring, better coordination and greater community participation.
Download Nagaland Tribune app on Google Play
Tajen acknowledged that the State continued to face several implementation challenges, including difficult terrain, poor connectivity, adverse weather conditions, OTP-based portal updates, livestock insurance issues and constraints in the dairy sector.
She said the biggest challenge was completing the programme within the stipulated timeline and stressed the need for officers to work together in mission mode on a war footing. Despite these constraints, she appreciated the dedication and professionalism shown by departmental officers and field functionaries.
She also urged the Ministry to consider expanding the scope of support for the piggery sector, noting that pig farming was deeply embedded in the culture and economy of Nagaland. She advocated promotion of indigenous pig breeds such as Nagal and Tenyivo, and requested that support for biosecurity, restocking and compensation under the African Swine Fever Control Programme (ASCAD) be reviewed in view of the recurring impact of African Swine Fever in the State.
She said the review meeting provided an opportunity to assess implementation strategies, identify bottlenecks, strengthen coordination and develop practical solutions. Expressing confidence that the deliberations would provide valuable recommendations, she reaffirmed the department’s commitment to building a stronger and more resilient livestock sector in partnership with the Government of India.
The programme also featured technical presentations on SASCI and the National Digital Livestock Mission (NDLM) by Sunil Kumar, Senior Statistical Officer (AHS Division), DAHD, Government of India, and Dr. Chubasangla, Joint Director and State Nodal Officer (NDLM), Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, Nagaland. A PowerPoint presentation on Smart Livestock Farming Project, Vision 2047 was presented by Dr H Inato Jimomi, Joint Director, AH&VS.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by R.P.S. Rathore, Additional Statistical Adviser, DAHD, Government of India.
Following the meeting, the visiting officials inspected two dairy farms, one at Ura Village and another at Ward-10, Chümoukedima.
