Nagaland’s implementation of the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) 2026-27 under Livestock Sector Reforms came under review during a meeting held at Zone Niathu, Chümoukedima, on July 11. The programme was organised by the Animal Husbandry Statistics Division under the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), Government of India, in collaboration with the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services (AH&VS), Nagaland.
Inaugurating the meeting, Adviser (STATS/NDLM/SASCI), DAHD, Government of India, Jagat Hazarika said the visit was aimed at reviewing the State’s implementation of SASCI and understanding the challenges on the ground. He said the Ministry of Finance had allocated Rs 3,000 crore under SASCI 2026-27 for all States, with Nagaland placed in Category D based on the size of its livestock sector.
“The scheme provides performance-based incentives to States that meet the prescribed qualifying and performance criteria,” Hazarika said, urging participants to discuss State-specific issues to help identify practical solutions.
Secretary, AH&VS, Angelina Tajen said livestock remained a key pillar of Nagaland’s economy and reaffirmed the department’s commitment to ensuring that SASCI and the National Digital Livestock Mission (NDLM) benefited livestock farmers. She informed that 10 Joint Directors had been assigned to supervise all 17 districts to strengthen monitoring, coordination and community participation.
Highlighting implementation challenges, Tajen cited difficult terrain, poor connectivity, adverse weather, OTP-based portal updates, livestock insurance issues and constraints in the dairy sector. “The biggest challenge is completing the programme within the stipulated timeline,” she said, calling on officers to work in mission mode.
She also urged the Centre to expand support for the piggery sector, promote indigenous pig breeds such as Nagal and Tenyivo, and review biosecurity, restocking and compensation provisions under the African Swine Fever Control Programme in view of recurring outbreaks in the State.
The programme also included technical presentations on SASCI, NDLM and the Smart Livestock Farming Project Vision 2047, followed by visits to two dairy farms in Ura Village and Chümoukedima.
