Central Idea

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has recently recognized the mithun as a ‘food animal,’ opening doors for its commercial use.

About Mithun

The Mithun, also known as the Gayal (scientifically Bos frontalis), is believed to have evolved from the Indian Gaur or bison.
It was first described in 1804 by Aylmer Bourke Lambert.
It holds significant cultural and socio-economic importance among tribes like the Nyishi, Apatani, Galo, and Adi in Arunachal Pradesh.
Its habitat spans Northeast India, Bangladesh, northern Myanmar, and Yunnan, China.
It is often referred to as the ‘cattle of the mountain.’
The gayal serves as the state animal of Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland.

This move has sparked efforts to help farmers and tribal communities benefit economically from the sale and processing of mithun meat.

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research has introduced the M-ANITRA app, facilitating the registration of Mithun farmers as both “buyers” and “sellers” to engage in competitive trade.
Mithun farmers from various villages in Northeast India have been participating in training programs conducted by organizations like the ICAR-National Research Centre on Mithun.
Farmers are adopting practices to protect mithun, including enclosures, night shelters, and vaccinations.
Mithuns, when sold as meat, can fetch high prices, with an average selling price of Rs 300 per kg.
The opportunity to commercially sell mithun meat is generating excitement among farmers.