Livestock sector of Tripura-trends in production and infrastructure

Livestock is an important component of agricultural system in Tripura. However, like food grains Tripura is also deficient in milk, meat, eggs etc. and a wide gap exists between demand and supply of these items. An attempt is made in this paper to compare infrastructure and production of livestock sector in Tripura with other states of North Eastern Region (NEH) region. The study revealed that Tripura's share in total livestock population of the NER and all India has increased to 7.43 per cent and 0.35 per cent, respectively in 2007 from 6.93 per cent and 0.30 per cent, respectively in 2003. Total livestock population registered a much higher change (28.19%) as compared to NER (19.52%) and all India (9.21%). The share of Tripura in both indigenous and crossbred cattle in NER and all India has increased in 2007 compared to 2003. In the case of poultry, Tripura's share to NER remained unchanged at 8.38 per cent between these periods and its share in all India declined to 0.57 per cent in 2007 from 0.62 per cent in 2003. Though livestock and poultry population have increased, the productivity of animals in terms of milk, meat and egg is much lower than NER and all India level. Moreover, lack of technological intervention, lack of inadequate processing facilities and unorganized marketing have been major sources of concern leaving a huge potential for improvement in this sector. A proper policy initiative encompassing improved technological intervention, breed improvement, quality feeds and fodder availability, proper credit facilities, proper processing and organised marketing is needed to realise the full potential of livestock sector in the state.