Advisor for Transport and Technical Education Temjenmenba launched a one-year, 100 per cent free Livestock Insurance Scheme exclusively for the 29 Jangpetkong Assembly Constituency at Khar village in the Mokokchung district on Saturday.
The scheme, implemented under the National Livestock Mission, offers heavily subsidised insurance coverage for cattle and small ruminants to safeguard farmers from financial losses due to animal deaths.
Under the scheme, farmers are required to pay only 15 per cent of the premium; the remaining 85 per cent is subsidised by the Government of India. In Nagaland, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services is the nodal implementing agency.
Speaking at the launch, Temjenmenba announced that he would cover the beneficiaries’ 15 per cent premium share for one year through his Local Area Development Fund, making the insurance completely free for livestock rearers in the constituency during this period.
The advisor highlighted that Nagas are among the largest consumers of meat, yet livestock farmers frequently suffer heavy losses due to disease outbreaks such as flu. He described the scheme as a “game changer” that would provide much-needed protection and stability to farmers in his constituency.
Temjenmenba noted that many local livestock farmers still follow traditional methods without adequate scientific or technological support, making their produce highly dependent on seasonal and weather conditions. He termed the launch of the scheme a significant gift for the people of Jangpetkong.
He urged farmers to overcome misconceptions regarding vaccination, stating that fears of vaccines harming livestock quality are unfounded. The advisor called upon them to follow the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services’ guidelines on mandatory vaccination and other protocols.
“In life, change is permanent and never static. Change may be for the better or worse; it all depends on one’s choice,” he remarked.
Temjenmenba appealed to livestock farmers to strictly adhere to all mandatory guidelines, including animal vaccination, ear tagging, and other requirements to fully avail the scheme's benefits.
He expressed confidence that enthusiastic implementation would position the 29 Jangpetkong Assembly Constituency as a major livestock supplier for the Mokokchung district.
He also called upon the implementing agency to simplify procedures, reach out directly to village-level farmers, and ensure the scheme is easily accessible and understood by all beneficiaries.
On the sidelines of the programme, the advisor informed that the Government of India recently approved the construction of the Jangpetkong range road. The road, originally built more than two decades ago, has been in a deplorable condition and was severely damaged by a major landslide last year, affecting several villages in the area.
Dr. Kuokehebi Gwirie, Director of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, explained that the insurance covers only preventable diseases for which vaccines are available. He stated that vaccination and ear tagging of animals are mandatory for availing insurance coverage. He, however, informed that diseases such as African Swine Fever, which do not yet have a vaccine, are not covered by the insurance scheme.
Dr. Gwirie added that the Government of India has set a target of 3,000 units for Nagaland under the scheme for both 2025-26 and 2026-27. One unit equals five pigs or ten goats. He expressed optimism that with full public cooperation, as seen in Khar village, the department would successfully meet its targets.
The launch programme, organised by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, was attended by villagers, stakeholders from across the 29 Jangpetkong Assembly Constituency, and senior officials from the department.
Source - https://www.easternmirrornagaland.com
