The recent price revision of pork by the Mokokchung Municipal Council (MMC) within Mokokchung municipal jurisdiction that came into immediate effect was necessitated because of the increase of price in the “base market” as per the MMC. It is understandable that the price had to be revised because there is just no other option. There is no question about lack of demand for pork in the market and as long as there is demand, the supply will be there – albeit to the advantage of the suppliers.
As per the latest reports, Nagaland state produces 45.07% of the total requirement of animal husbandry products worth Rs. 1022.61 crores leaving a shortfall of 54.93% as per the sample Survey Report of 2020-21. Out of this shortfall, the state imported animal husbandry products worth Rs 211.94 crore in monetary terms, according to the Annual Administrative Report 2021-22 of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services tabled at the just concluded 11th session of 13th Nagaland Legislative Assembly.
It may be noted here that Nagaland imports not only pork but almost all other animal husbandry products including beef, chicken, fish and others. Mokokchung specific data was not readily available but we can deduce from the Nagaland data that Mokokchung is importing not less than 50% of the animal husbandry products worth tens of crores of rupees per annum. It is difficult to ascertain how or why we have to import more than 50% of our animal husbandry requirement when there is so much demand in the local market.
Efforts have been made by private investors, farmers, and the government with the department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services as the nodal agency to improve production of meat and other livestock products. However, the numbers show that we have not been able to close the gap and we remain dependent on imports. This must change.
There are innumerable benefits, socially and economically, for being self-sufficient in meeting the requirement of animal husbandry products. As stated above, there is no dearth of demand and the suppliers will always squeeze the maximum benefit, even at the cost of exploiting the consumers, because there is no competition in the local market.
Another sad reality is that even the locally produced livestock products are not marketed in an organized manner and, therefore, the consumer is again at the losing end even while purchasing locally produced meat products.
A thorough and scientific research by a competent agency is urgently needed to investigate and analyze the situation in order to understand the problem, its causes and to find solutions.