Arunachal Pradesh is a tribal people state basically agrarian by occupation with more than 66% population engaged in agricultural, horticultural, livestock rearing and other related activities. Livestock rearing has been an integral livelihood enhancement opportunity and nutritional security since time immemorial. The livestock and poultry rearing have intrinsically linked with the socio-economic fabrics of the tribal people in the state. Most importantly, it is worthwhile to mention that possessing of livestock especially, Mithun counts the status of a person in the society. Such is the importance of the livestock among the tribal Society of Arunachal Pradesh.
The animal husbandry activities vis-a vis Livestock & Poultry production are intrinsically linked with the farmers wherein majority of them rear livestock & Poultry birds for their livelihood opportunities, nutritional security and insurance to the crop failures due to natural calamities. The farmers of Arunachal practices mixed-type of farming wherein farmer rear some livestock along with agricultural/horticultural crops or even some do fish farming along with livestock and other crops. The traditional system of livestock rearing are still prevailing where they rear without applying scientifically improved management practices may be due to lack of awareness.
The Department of Animal Husbandry, Veterinary & Dairy Development is one of the important Technical department of the Government of Arunachal Pradesh. The Department is headed by Commissioner cum Secretary under the Charge of Minister of Animal Husbandry, Veterinary & Dairy Development and the technical section is headed by Director. The district administration is headed by District Animal Husbandry & Veterinary officers.
The Department of Animal Husbandry, Veterinary & Dairy Development got bifurcated from the Department of Agriculture in the year 1975 with the main objectives of promoting Animal Husbandry activities thereby enhancing the rural economy as well as for prompt delivery of veterinary services at the farmers’ door-steps. It is worthwhile to mention that Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development was once considered as a subsidiary activity has now been changed with the trend of more farmers opting for the livestock & poultry rearing for their livelihood and nutritional security thereby attainment more importance of this department resulting this sector as the one of the Major department in the state today.
The Department’s main objectives and allocation of business are as follows:
A. Animal Husbandry
(i) Extension and Training.
(ii) Cattle and Buffalo Development.
(iii) Poultry Development.
(iv) Sheep, Goat and Wool Development.
(v) Piggery Development.
(vi) Other Livestock Development.
(vii) Conservation and Development of Indigenous Livestock.
(viii) Livestock Census.
(ix) Frozen Semen Technology and Artificial Insemination.
(x) Upgradation/improvement of Domestic Animal.
(xi) Feed & Fodder Development.
C. Dairy Development
(i) Enhance the milk production.
(ii) Processing of milk and milk products.
(iii) Collection and marketing of milk and milk products.
(iv) Organisation of dairy Co-operative Society through integrated Dairy Development programme.
(v) Imparting training on dairy management.
