Livestock contributes about 40% to the GNP. Hence it constitutes the backbone of Indian Agriculture. Livestock currently employs about 8% of the India's work force and has been growing during the last two decades at an annual rate of 4.5% in comparison to 2.2% in Agriculture sector. It provides more self-employment opportunities for the socially backward and tribal people, including rural woman. In areas where agriculture is impossible as in the deserts and hilly region livestock is able to survive and solve food problem. Livestock sector is one among the few growth sectors in India, which is directly linked wilh the livelihood of more than 70% of rural population. Moreover, India has great potentiality to export animal products. So, time has come to frame policy and implement it for the development of livestock sector with special reference to NEH Region. Therefore, strength, weakness, opportunity and threat of livestock and Poultry Development in the NEH are discussed in details.
