( By Dr.M.Hazarika, Professor, Department of Livestock Product Technology, Assam Agricultural University)

The people of North-East India (NER) have a strong preference for foods of animal origin. (Please refer to Percapita_Meat_Consumption_NER and Av_Expenditure_perperson_on_Meat ) The ethnic and tribal groups are confined to their traditional ways and customs where meat consumption is an integral part. They produce varieties of meat and poultry products since time immemorial. Apart from the fresh meat production and traditional processing, a sizeable portion is preserved using their indigenous methods and ingredients. The products as well as methods of preservation vary from region to region and even among the ethnic groups. Some of the meat products are preserved years together at normal room temperature.