State meets only 44.56% of demand for meat, milk and eggs
Morung Express News
Kohima | March 11
Fresh data from the Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services Annual Administrative Report (AAR) 2025–26 highlights a striking contrast in Nagaland’s livestock sector: strong demand for meat, milk and eggs alongside a substantial supply deficit.
The state currently meets only 44.56% of its total requirement, leaving a 55.44% shortfall valued at Rs 1,257.78 crore.
Production falls far short of demand
According to the report, the total requirement of meat, milk and eggs, in monetary terms based on the Sample Survey for 2024–25, stood at Rs 2,268.64 crore. However, the value of production within the state was estimated at only Rs 1,010.57 crore, or 44.56% of the total requirement, leaving a shortfall of 55.44%.
Of this deficit, Nagaland imported animal husbandry products worth Rs 263.56 crore during the year. The supply gap is evident across all major livestock products.
For instance, out of a total meat requirement of 54.9 thousand tonnes, only 24.42 thousand tonnes were produced within the state, leaving a shortfall of 30.5 thousand tonnes.
The gap is even more pronounced for milk. The state produced just 49.19 thousand tonnes against a total requirement of 117.71 thousand tonnes, leaving a deficit of 68.15 thousand tonnes. Similarly, out of 1,961 lakh eggs required annually, only 453.04 lakh eggs were produced locally, resulting in a deficit of 1,508.82 lakh eggs.
To bridge part of the deficit, Nagaland imported livestock products worth Rs 263.56 crore during the year. These included 7.85 thousand tonnes of meat valued at Rs 144.48 crore, 3.52 thousand tonnes of milk worth Rs 103.96 crore, and 287.4 lakh eggs worth Rs 15.22 crore. Despite these imports, a large portion of demand continues to be met through informal supply channels and inter-state trade, indicating the scale of the market.
Meat dominates diet; dairy and poultry lag
The report also reflects the deep embedment of meat consumption in Nagaland’s dietary culture, with availability levels significantly above national norms. The per capita availability of meat in the state stands at 40 grams per person per day, compared to the 30 grams daily intake recommended by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), Government of India. However, the data reveals a considerable gap in the availability of milk and eggs. While the recommended requirement for milk is 150 grams per person per day, the per capita availability in Nagaland is only 67 grams.
Similarly, against the recommended annual consumption of 110 eggs per person, the availability in the state stands at just 34 eggs per year. The figures indicate that while meat remains the dominant protein source in Nagaland, the dairy and poultry sectors continue to lag behind.
Opportunity amid supply gap
Despite the continuing deficit, long-term trends indicate gradual growth in local livestock production. Data from the department shows that while the state spent Rs 375 crore on imports in 2001–02, the value of internal production has increased significantly from Rs 230.52 crore to Rs 1,010.57 crore in 2024–25. The trend suggests that local producers have gradually expanded their share of the market over the years. With demand for meat, milk and eggs remaining high, the Rs 1,257 crore supply gap, the Department has repeatedly emphasised over the years that the existing demand–supply gap represents a substantial opportunity for local farmers, entrepreneurs and investors.
