Animal husbandry involves the practice of raising livestock and engaging in selective breeding. It encompasses the management and care of animals, focusing on the development of their genetic qualities and behavior to generate profit.

• India boasts one of the world's largest livestock sectors, providing sustenance to approximately 20.5 million individuals. 
• Livestock contributes significantly to the income of small farm households, accounting for 16%, surpassing the average of 14% for all rural households. 
• The livelihoods of two-thirds of the rural community are intertwined with livestock, offering employment opportunities for about 8.8% of the country's population.
• India possesses extensive livestock resources, with the sector contributing 4.11% to the GDP and 25.6% to the total Agriculture GDP.
• The Economic Survey of 2020 highlighted the robust growth of the livestock sector, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.9% over the past five years. 
• According to the Economic Survey of 2021, the contribution of Livestock to the total agriculture and allied sector Gross Value Added (at Constant Prices) has seen a notable increase, rising from 24.32% in 2014-15 to 28.63% in 2018-19. 
• Contribution of Livestock in the Indian Economy:
• The livestock sector grew at a CAGR of 7.9% during 2014-15 to 2020- 21 (at constant prices), and its contribution to total agriculture GVA (at constant prices) has increased from 24.3% in 2014-15 to 30.1% in 2020-21.

Livestock income has emerged as a crucial secondary source of income for rural families, playing a pivotal role in the pursuit of doubling farmers' income.

The 20th Livestock Census reveals significant insights into India's diverse and extensive livestock landscape:

• Total Livestock Population:
  • The total livestock population stands at 535.78 million, indicating a 4.6% increase over the Livestock Census-2012.
• Bovine Population:
  • The total bovine population, including cattle, buffalo, mithun, and yak, is 79 million in 2019, marking a 1% increase from the previous census.
• Indigenous/Non-descript Cattle:
  • There is a notable decline of 6% in the total indigenous/non-descript cattle population compared to the previous census.
• Cows and Oxen:
  • The census reports an 18% increase in the population of cows over the last seven years. In contrast, the population of oxen has witnessed a significant decline of 30%.
• Poultry Population:
  • The poultry population in the country has experienced a remarkable 16.8% increase, reaching 851.81 million. This surge is primarily attributed to a 46% rise in backyard poultry birds, totaling 317 million.
• Gender Distribution:
  • The number of female cattle has increased by 18%, reaching 145.12 million compared to 122.98 million in 2012. Conversely, the population of male cattle has decreased to 47.4 million from 67.92 million in 2012.
• Livestock Composition:
  • Cattle account for 35.94% of the total livestock, followed by goats at 27.80%, buffaloes at 20.45%, sheep at 13.87%, and pigs at 1.69%.
• Small Ruminant Sector:
  • Sheep and goats, collectively known as small ruminants, contribute significantly to India's livestock sector. India supports 16.1% of the world's goat population and 6.4% of its sheep.

Global Livestock Leadership:

• India emerges as the world's highest livestock owner with approximately 535.78 million animals.
• The country is the global leader in buffalo population, boasting 109.85 million buffaloes.
• India ranks second in the world in goat population, with 148.88 million goats.
• The nation is also the second-largest poultry market globally and the fifth in the population of ducks and chickens, totaling 851.81 million.
• In terms of fish production, India secures the second position globally and is also the second-largest aquaculture nation.
• India ranks third in the global sheep population, with 74.26 million.
• In the camel population, India holds the tenth position globally, with 2.5 lakhs.

The role of livestock in the socio-economic life of India is multifaceted and integral to the livelihoods of farmers. Here are some key aspects:

Income:

• Livestock serves as a vital source of subsidiary income, particularly for resource-poor families in India. Cows and buffaloes, when in milk, provide a consistent source of income through the sale of milk. Animals like sheep and goats contribute to income during emergencies, addressing needs such as marriages, medical treatments, education, and housing repairs. Livestock also function as movable assets, offering economic security to their owners.

Employment:

• In a country where a significant portion of the population depends on agriculture for livelihoods, livestock provides employment opportunities. The landless and those with limited land resources rely on livestock to utilize their labor, especially during lean agricultural seasons.

Food:

• Livestock products, including milk, meat, and eggs, play a crucial role in providing animal protein to the members of livestock-owning households. Per capita availability of milk is approximately 355 grams per day, and eggs amount to 69 per annum.

Social Security:

• Livestock ownership contributes to social security by influencing the status of families in society. Those owning animals, especially the landless, are often better positioned socially. Gifting of animals during marriages is a common practice, and livestock is involved in various socio-religious functions, such as cows for housewarming ceremonies and specific animals for sacrifices during festive seasons.

Gender Equity:

• Animal husbandry promotes gender equity, with more than three-fourths of the labor demand in livestock production being met by women. In regions where dairying is prominent and animals are stall-fed, such as Punjab and Haryana, the share of women employment in the livestock sector is around 90%.

Draft:

• Bullocks remain crucial for Indian agriculture, despite advancements in mechanical power usage. They are essential for various agricultural operations and contribute to significant fuel savings compared to mechanical alternatives. Pack animals like camels, horses, donkeys, ponies, and mules are extensively used for transporting goods in different terrains, including hilly areas where they serve as the primary means of transportation.

Dung:

• Livestock dung serves multiple purposes in rural areas. It is utilized as fuel in the form of dung cakes, serves as fertilizer in the form of farmyard manure, and acts as plastering material, often referred to as "poor man’s cement."
• In essence, livestock is deeply intertwined with the socio-economic fabric of India, providing income, employment, food, social security, gender equity, and contributing to various cultural and agricultural practices.
• The Livestock sector in India faces several challenges that impact its productivity, health, environmental sustainability, and overall development. 

Some of the prominent challenges include:

• Productivity:
  • Improving the productivity of farm animals is a significant challenge. The average annual milk yield of Indian cattle is only about 50% of the global average, indicating a need for measures to enhance productivity.
• Diseases:
  • Frequent outbreaks of diseases such as Foot and Mouth Diseases, Black Quarter infection, and Influenza continue to affect livestock health. These diseases not only impact the well-being of animals but also contribute to lower productivity.
• Greenhouse Gases:
  • India's large population of ruminants, including cattle, contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Addressing this environmental challenge requires the development and implementation of mitigation and adaptation strategies to reduce the environmental footprint of the livestock sector.
• Loss of Indigenous Breeds:
  • Crossbreeding initiatives aimed at enhancing the genetic potential of indigenous species have faced limitations. The loss of indigenous breeds is a concern, and preserving genetic diversity is crucial for the resilience of the livestock sector.
• Limited Artificial Insemination Services:
  • The availability and quality of artificial insemination services are limited, with deficiencies in germplasm, infrastructure, and technical manpower. Poor conception rates following artificial insemination pose significant challenges for breeding programs.
• Financial Neglect:
  • The Livestock sector receives only about 12% of the total public expenditure on agriculture and allied sectors. This financial neglect is disproportionate to the sector's contribution to agricultural GDP, hindering its growth and development.
• Meat Production and Market Challenges:
  • Inadequate slaughtering facilities and a significant portion of meat production coming from unregistered, makeshift slaughterhouses are challenges. High marketing and transaction costs for livestock products, accounting for 15-20% of the sale price, pose obstacles to the development of the livestock market.

Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach, including investments in research and development, disease control measures, sustainable breeding practices, environmental conservation, and improved market infrastructure. Collaborative efforts from government agencies, research institutions, and the private sector are essential to overcome these challenges and foster the sustainable development of the Livestock sector in India.

FAQs about Animal Husbandry and Livestock Sector in India:

1-What is animal husbandry, and how does it relate to livestock in India?

Animal husbandry involves raising livestock and selective breeding, focusing on managing and caring for animals to enhance their genetic qualities and behavior for profit.

2-How significant is the livestock sector in India?

India boasts one of the world's largest livestock sectors, supporting approximately 20.5 million people and contributing significantly to the income of small farm households.

3-What is the contribution of livestock to the income of small farm households in India?

Livestock contributes 16% to the income of small farm households, surpassing the average of 14% for all rural households.

4-How does livestock impact employment in India?

Livestock provides employment opportunities for about 8.8% of the country's population, particularly benefiting the landless and those with limited land resources.

5-What is the role of livestock in the Indian economy?

Ans. The livestock sector contributes 4.11% to the GDP and 25.6% to the total Agriculture GDP in India.

6-How has the livestock sector grown in recent years?

Ans. According to the Economic Survey of 2020, the livestock sector has grown at a compound annual growth rate of 7.9% over the past five years.

7-What is the contribution of Livestock to total agriculture GVA in India?

Ans. The contribution of Livestock to total agriculture GVA (at constant prices) has increased from 24.3% in 2014-15 to 30.1% in 2020-21.

8-What insights does the 20th Livestock Census provide about India's livestock population?

Ans. The 20th Livestock Census reveals that India is the world's highest livestock owner with a population of 535.78 million animals, including significant numbers of cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, and poultry.

9-What are the challenges faced by the Livestock sector in India?

Ans. Challenges include improving productivity, controlling diseases, addressing greenhouse gas emissions, preserving indigenous breeds, enhancing artificial insemination services, overcoming financial neglect, and addressing challenges in meat production and marketing.

10-How does livestock contribute to the socio-economic life of India?

Ans. Livestock plays a multifaceted role by providing income, employment, food, social security, gender equity, and contributing to various cultural and agricultural practices.

11-What is the gender distribution in the livestock sector in India?

Ans. Livestock promotes gender equity, with more than three-fourths of the labor demand being met by women. In regions where dairying is prominent, the share of women employment in the livestock sector is around 90%.