“Atmanirbhar Bharat & Harnessing Potential of Livestock Sector for food safety and financial security”
Dr Amandeep Goyal, M.V.Sc Scholar, Animal Nutrition ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal
Introduction
Atmanirbhar Bharat” is a vision and initiative of the Government of India, aimed at making the country self-reliant and economically strong. The term “Atmanirbhar” translates to “self-reliant” in English. The notion spans a wide range of industries, including agriculture, manufacturing, technology, and services, to minimise reliance on imports and encourage domestic output and innovation. Livestock is vital to the Indian economy. Livestock provides a living for two-thirds of the rural communities. It also employs approximately 8.8% of the Indian population. India has a large livestock population of about 535.78 million. In pursuance of the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan stimulus package for ensuring growth in several sectors, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved setting up of Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) worth Rs. 15000 crore (PIB,2022). Dairy animals make milk by converting crop leftovers and byproducts that would otherwise be wasted. The dairy industry contributes money, draught power, and manure. Livestock provides for human needs by way of 1. Food 2. fibre. 3. Fuel. 4. Fertilizer. 5.. Skin and 6. Traction.
Livestock and its Potential for Safety and Financial Security
Economic contributions
Livestock contributes greatly to economic development even at low production and offtake rates. Their influence in the development of mixed farming systems extends beyond obvious economic benefits. The usage of manure aids to agricultural sustainability and environmental conservation. Using draught horse power conserves non renewable energy sources such as petroleum. Livestock is a source of raw materials for industry. Furthermore, animals serve as a capital reserve and insurance against crop failure. Livestock helps to improve income distribution because production is concentrated among small landholders. Therefore, by utilising livestock potential, the country can strengthen its self-sufficiency in terms of food production, animal products, and raw materials for numerous industries. Livestock farming allows farmers to diversify their income sources. In times of crop failure or economic downturns, income from livestock can act as a safety net for farmers and rural communities
Contribution to National Income
The livestock sector grew at a CAGR of 7.9 per cent during 2014-15 to 2020- 21 (at constant prices), and its contribution to total agriculture GVA (at constant prices) has increased from 24.3 per cent in 2014-15 to 30.1 per cent in 2020-21. Similarly, the annual average growth rate of the fisheries sector has been about 7 per cent since 2016-17 and has a share of about 6.7 per cent in total agriculture GVA. Higher growth in allied sectors compared to the crop sector has obvious implications in terms of the increasing importance of the former in total agricultural GVA. The dairy sector is the most critical component of the livestock sector, employing more than eight crore farmers directly, and is the most prominent agrarian product. Other livestock products, such as eggs and meat, are also growing in importance. While India ranks first in milk production in the world, it ranks third in egg production and eighth in meat production in the world (Economic Survey 2022-2023). Recognising the expanding importance of agriculture allied sectors, the Committee on Doubling Farmers’ Income (DFI, 2018) regards dairying, cattle, poultry, fisheries, and horticulture as high-growth engines and has advocated a targeted policy with a corresponding support structure for the allied sector.
Inputs to the agriculture sector
Livestock provide draught power and dung manure to the crop subsector. Bullocks are the backbone of Indian agriculture. Despite a lot of advancements in the use of mechanical power in Indian agricultural operations, the Indian farmer especially in rural areas still depends upon bullocks for various agricultural operations. The bullocks are saving a lot on fuel which is a necessary input for using mechanical power like tractors, combine harvesters etc. Pack animals like camels, horses, donkeys, ponies, mules etc are being extensively used to transport goods in different parts of the country in addition to bullocks. In situations like hilly terrains mules and ponies serve as the only alternative to transport goods. Similarly, the army has to depend upon these animals to transport various items in high areas of high altitude. Dung is utilised for a variety of reasons in rural regions, including fuel (dung cakes), fertiliser (farm yard manure) and plastering material (poor man’s cement).
Conserving Indigenous Breed
Many indigenous cattle breeds exist in India, many of which are well adapted to local conditions. Protecting and promoting these breeds can help to maintain genetic variety while also increasing resilience in the face of changing environmental conditions.
Livestock Health and Disease Management
It is critical to ensure the safety and health of livestock to prevent disease outbreaks and spread. This not only protects animal populations but also contributes to the protection of human health, as certain diseases can be transmitted from animals to humans (zoonotic diseases). For this Livestock Health and Disease Control (LH&DC) Scheme is being implemented to supplement the State/UT governments’ efforts towards preventing, controlling and containing animal diseases of economic and zoonotic importance by vaccination. National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP) is being implemented to control Foot & Mouth Disease and Brucellosis by completely vaccinating cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat and pig populations against Foot & Mouth Disease and bovine female calves of 4-8 months of age against brucellosis. Improving access to veterinary care and services can aid in the early detection and control of livestock diseases, resulting in better animal health and productivity.
Food security
An average Indian’s diet is cereal-based and deficient in nutrient-dense foods such as pulses, fruits, vegetables, and animal products. Low intake of these products results in nutritional deficiencies. Livestock, such as milk, eggs, and meat, contribute greatly to food security by providing a steady and nutritious food source. India can improve its food security and lessen its reliance on imports by utilising the potential of livestock. The per-capita availability of milk is 444 gram/day during 2021-22 increased by 17 grams/day over the previous year. In 2021-22, the per-capita availability of eggs is 95 nos/annum increased by 5 nos/annum over the previous year. The per-capita availability of meat is 6.82 kg/annum during 2021-22 increased by 0.30 kg/annum over the previous year. Livestock helps to alleviate seasonal food variability.
Consumption of animal products is predicted to rise quicker as the economy continues to grow and per capita income rises.
Socio-economic importance and sustainable development
Livestock is important for rural lives and developing-country economies. They generate cash and jobs for producers and others involved in sometimes complex value chains. They are a vital asset and safety net for the poor, particularly for women and pastoralist tribes, and they produce food for billions of rural and urban households. These and other socioeconomic functions are becoming more important as the industry expands due to rising human populations, incomes, and urbanisation rates. To offer these benefits, the sector consumes a substantial amount of land, water, biomass, and other resources and generates a significant amount of greenhouse emissions. There is worry about how to manage the sector’s expansion to achieve these benefits at a lower environmental cost. Livestock and environment interactions in developing countries can be both positive and negative. On the one hand, manures from ruminant systems can be a good supply of nutrients for smallholder crops, but they can damage water sources in more industrial systems or where there are large concentrations of animals. Sustainable livestock farming practices can contribute to climate resilience by promoting agroecological systems, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and utilizing livestock waste for bioenergy and organic fertilizer.
Trade
India has the potential to become a major player in the global livestock market by exporting meat, dairy, and other related products. This can contribute significantly to the country’s foreign exchange earnings. India’s exports of Animal Products in 2022-23 was Rs. 32,597.39 Crores/ 4,062.15 USD Millions in, which include the major products like Buffalo Meat (Rs. 25648.10 Crores/ 3194.70 USD Millions), Sheep/ Goat Meat (Rs. 537.18 Crores/ 66.92 USD Millions), Other Meat (Rs. 16.93 Crores/ 2.18 USD Million), Poultry Products (Rs. 1081.62 Crores/ 134.04 USD Millions), Dairy Products (Rs. 2269.85 Crores/ 284.65 USD Millions), Animal Casing (Rs. 326.02 Crores/ 40.87 USD Millions), Processed Meat (Rs. 11.72 Crores/ 1.47 USD Millions), Casein (Rs. 816.32 Crores/ 101.19 USD Million), Albumin (Eggs & Milk (Rs. 266.88 Crores/ 33.06 USD Millions)), and Natural Honey (Rs. 1622.77 Crore/ 203.07 USD Millions). The demand for Indian buffalo meat in the international market has sparked a sudden increase in meat exports. Buffalo meat dominated the exports with a contribution of over 78.65% in total Animal Products export from India in 2022-23. The main markets for Indian Buffalo Meat and other animal products are Malaysia, Vietnam Social Republic, Egypt Arab Republic, Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates (APEDA).
Training, Education and Government Initiatives
Farmers’ productivity and income levels can be increased by providing training and teaching on modern livestock management practices. Farmers can receive financial assistance and subsidies from the government for adopting modern and sustainable livestock practices, such as establishing dairy cooperatives, poultry farms, and animal feed production units. Therefore, The Indian government recognises the value of the livestock sector in terms of safety and financial stability. Several programmes and programmes have been created to assist livestock producers and encourage the growth of this industry. These are some examples: National Livestock Mission (NLM): The NLM aims to ensure the sustainable development of the livestock sector by focusing on breed improvement, animal nutrition, health, and marketing. Rashtriya Gokul Mission: This mission focuses on the conservation and development of indigenous cattle breeds to improve their productivity and preserve the country’s biodiversity. Dairy Entrepreneurship Development Scheme (DEDS): DEDS provides financial support to individual entrepreneurs and farmers for setting up modern dairy farms and enhancing milk production.Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY): While not directly related to livestock, this scheme aims to promote marine and inland fisheries, which can complement livestock farming by providing food security and financial support.
Conclusion
Agriculture is the backbone of our economy. The fundamental anchor of agriculture is animal husbandry. The livestock sector is a living bank providing flexible finance in times of emergencies and also serves as insurance against crop failure for survival. Harnessing the potential of livestock is consistent with the Atmanirbhar Bharat goal since it can lead to increasing self-sufficiency in food production, economic growth, and financial stability for farmers and rural communities. India should use the capabilities of its livestock sector to create a more self-sufficient and secure future by enacting supportive policies, giving access to technologies and markets, and promoting sustainable practices.
References
https://apeda.gov.in/apedawebsite/six_head_product/animal.htm
indiabudget.gov.in/economicsurvey/
Atmanirbhar Bharat & Harnessing Potential of Livestock Sector for Food Safety and Financial Security
