ENHANCING FARMERS’ INCOME FROM LIVESTOCK FARMING IN INDIA: CONSTRAINTS & STRATEGIES
Vipin Ph.D. Scholar, ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute, Eastern Regional Station, Kalyani-741 235, West Bengal, India Corresponding author, E-mail: vipinsingh729@gmail.com
INTRODUCTION
Around, seventy per cent of the livelihood of farmers in India relies on agriculture and allied sector. In the Indian economy & farmer income, agriculture and related sectors play a significant role. The monthly income of the farmers was 6,426 Rs (Kumari, 2017) and the average monthly income per capita was 3,844 Rs (Dinani, 2017). But this revenue is not enough to satisfy farmers’ requirements for days to come. For their needs, it is; therefore, necessary to increase the farmer’s income. The livestock industry is an important part of Indian agriculture. For many farmers, animal production is an important source of livelihood, as it contributes to the health and well being of human, raises income and creates employment. It includes different species of animal that differ from country to country, as fish & poultry are not included in the USDA category of livestock. Livestock accounted for 8.8 per cent of the total agricultural labour force and ranged widely from 3 per cent in the North-Eastern States in 40-48 per cent in Haryana and Punjab. Holding the farmer in need, Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modiji declared the “Doubling of Farmer’s Income by 2022” on 29 February 2016 in Bareilly (U.P). Around 100 million rural households, mostly landless, small or marginal farmers, the dairy and animal husbandry sector have emerged as a primary source of income and the main component of agricultural activity, thus increasing the income of livestock farmers is necessary for achieving the target i.e. doubling of farmer’s income by 2022.”
POPULATION OF LIVESTOCK IN THE COUNTRY
India’s livestock sector is one of the largest in the world, with a total population of 535.82 million, according to the 20th Livestock Census, 2019. Compared to the previous census, India’s total livestock population has increased by 4.64%. The total livestock population is 35.93, 20.50, 13.86, 27.79, 1.69 and 0.23 per cent of cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat, pig and other animal’s contributions, respectively. The total population of poultry in India is 851.81 million, including 317.07 million and 534.74 million total backyard poultry and total commercial poultry, respectively. There is a higher growth rate in the total population of poultry as compared to the total population of livestock.
Table 1: Production of livestock products in India (BAHS, 2019)
| Products | Quantity | Annual growth rate (%)
( 2018-19) |
Value of output (Rs. in crore)
(2017-18) |
| Milk | 187.75 million tones | 6.47 | 701530 |
| Eggs | 103.32 billion numbers | 8.51 | 32844 |
| Meat | 8.11 million tones | 5.99 | 218540 |
| Wool | 40.42 million Kg | -2.51 | 599 |
ROLE OF LIVESTOCK IN THE INDIAN ECONOMY
Livestock plays a significant role in the Indian economy. Almost 20.5 million people depend on livestock farming for their livelihoods. Compared to an average of 14 per cent of all rural households, livestock contributed 16 per cent to the income of small farm households. Livestock offers livelihoods to 2/3 of rural communities. It also employs about 8.8 per cent of the population in India. Livestock rearing is the primary source of income for 3.7 per cent of agricultural households. The livestock sector accounted for 4.9 % (758417 Rs. in crore) of the Gross Value Added (GVA)/GDP and 28.4 % of the total GVA of agriculture at current prices during 2017-18. The average value of livestock products is approximately one per cent of the total export earnings and 6% of the mean annual agricultural export earnings (Kumar et al., 2008). The main livestock items exported are meat and meat items, accounting for more than 90 % of the total export earnings.
ROLE OF LIVESTOCK IN THE INCOME OF FARMERS
Mostly Indian farmers maintain a mixed farming system, i.e. a mixture of crops and livestock, where the output of one company becomes the input of another company and thus raises the productivity of resources. In India, livestock is a source of additional income for many poor families with few animal numbers. Cattle and buffaloes can provide daily income through the sale of milk to livestock farmers. In financial crises, livestock such as sheep and goats considered as sources of income to meet requirements such as marriages, caring for the ill, child education, home repair, etc. During the scarcity season, landless and less landless people rely on their livestock for the use of their income. In terms of providing jobs and empowerment opportunities for women, the livestock sector is special, with two-thirds of the female workforce engaged in livestock rearing in rural India. Studies have also indicated that livestock growth has a higher potential for poverty alleviation of farmers than comparable growth in the crop sector. Livestock products, like meat, eggs and milk are an important source of protein, minerals, vitamins and micronutrients for humans and ensure food security. The milk available per capita is 394 g per day; the eggs are 79 per year in 2018-19. Milk and milk by-products like ghee, paneer, cheese and sweets are now including more in human foods. Animal byproduct dung is used for many purposes in the village, including fuel (dung cakes) and fertiliser (farm manure).
CONSTRAINTS OF THE LIVESTOCK SECTOR
Low investment is also being made in the livestock sector, and financial and extension institutions are also neglected. The underdevelopment of livestock markets is the greatest barrier to the commercialization of livestock products. Also, the growing globalisation of the Agri-food markets and businesses creates pressure to bear on this sector. The significant constraints of the livestock sector are described here.
Major constraints of the livestock sector in India
| 1. | Low-producing animals are one of animal husbandry’s the biggest problems. Similarly, the meat yield of most animals is 20-60 per cent lower than the global average |
| 2. | The actual deficit is 10, 33 and 35 per cent of dry fodder, concentrate and green fodder, respectively. Nearly 4 % of the overall cultivated area used for the production of forage and fodder had been almost constant over the last three decades |
| 3. | No routine prophylactic vaccination and deworming programme which continues to decrease animal productivity and thus production |
| 4. | Underdeveloped veterinary assistance and facilities, such as clinics, diagnostic laboratories and technical personnel |
| 5. | Low animal insurance coverage as insurance coverage is given to just 6 per cent of the animal heads |
| 6. | Programs for livestock extension are ignored. Only about 5 per cent of farm households in India have access to livestock data, compared with 40.4 per cent for crop farming |
| 7. | Poor quality of semen produced by most of the laboratories |
| 8. | Unorganized slaughtering establishments |
| 9. | Lack of interest in youngsters in livestock farming |
| 10. | Approximately a quarter of the global agricultural trade is made up of livestock products. However, India does not have a major role in global trade in livestock and only shares less than one per cent of world exports and imports |
| 11. | Lack of structured livestock commodity markets. Unorganized market system results in the involvement of middlemen which is a major commercial drawback in the dairy industry. |
STRATEGIES TO INCREASE THE LIVESTOCK FARMER’S INCOME
There are three ways in which farmers’ incomes can be increased by increasing gross output, decreasing prices and stabilizing output. Here we are discussing some strategies with recommendations for increasing farmers ‘ incomes by livestock farming.
- Good farm management approach
Management contributes greatly to the healthy rearing of animals and thus production. It includes breeding, feeding, weeding and heeding. Livestock owners should build a cheaper and a scientific house to protect against harsh weather, stealing and for proper nutrition, etc. Well-ventilated house, cooling supply, cow mat etc. are used for proper animal production. The productive future and reproduction output of any livestock farm is determined by calves born because the poor farmer cannot buy animals regularly for high-quality purposes, so he has to grow own calves to make a healthy and productive herd and also the calves mortality should be minimum. High-quality concentrate enriched with bypass fat and protein, good green forage and roughage available throughout the year, farmers should offer proper importance for their lactating or productive animals and heifers.
- Improved animal efficiency
The average milk yield per day per animal in milk at the national level during 2017-18 was 11.48, 7.61, 3.73, 2.41, 6.19, 4.21 and 0.47 kg/day for exotic cows, cross-bred cows, indigenous cows, indigenous buffalo and goats, respectively. Genetic improvement is the primary step in producing superior quality, dams, sires and calves. Different breeding systems and strategies, such as crossbreeding, breeding are the most effective methods of increasing animal productivity. Artificial insemination coverage for cattle and buffalo in India is limited and only 35 per cent. It is mainly due to less semen straw supply. Superovulation & embryo transfer technologies can be used in the animal breeding programme for the production of superior progeny. Improving the genetic material and the various breeding methods are helping to enhance the productivity of the dairy animal.
- Better reproductive management
The reproductive issues cause the farmer’s tremendous economic loss due to an increase in the inter calving period, an increase in service time and a reduction in the number of calves in animal life, which means that the total dry period of the animal’s increases. In addition to this economic loss, the rearing of unproductive livestock occurs. For profitable dairy farming, heat detection percentage, cow insemination percentage, service number for pregnancy, follicular cyst, endometritis and animal culling due to reproductive disorders should be > 70, > 80, < 2, < 10, < 10 and < 10 percent , respectively. It is claimed that 85 per cent of animals should be in the milking stage and 70 per cent should be pregnant for a reproductively healthy farm. In the field, anoestrus and repeat breeding, there are primarily two reproductive problems in large ruminants, so organize animal health camps to allow farmers to take routine disease prevention measures.
- Economic nutritional management
Food and feeds contribute almost 60-70 per cent of the overall recurring expenditure so that the profitability of the farm can be improved by economic feeding of livestock. The key issue is feed scarcity, low nutritional quality feeds and imbalance feeding. Feeding the balanced ration to dairy animals increases efficiency and thus reduces the cost of feeding. Farmers must provide advice on the optimum quantity of dry fodder, green fodder and concentrate supplements, depending on the age, breed, and weight and lactation stage of the animals. Ration balancing strategies can increase the income of farmers with only a 5 per cent increase in milk yield (price) and a 5 per cent decrease in feed costs (Lathwal, 2017). India has deficits of 10, 35 and 33 per cent of dry fodder, green fodder and concentrates respectively (Birthal and Jumrani, 2017). To mitigate forage shortage, inter-cropping and mixed cropping are used. Setting up fodder banks through the dairy federation and various organisations in the fodder scarcity area will help small farmers feed their livestock during the scarcity period. Paddy straw, wheat straw, maize stalk, sugar cane, bagasse, these crops have low nutritional value in livestock feeding due to high fibre content, hence different chemical treatment, physical and biological treatment methods are to improve the nutritional value of feedstuffs. The mineral mixture and common salt should be fed by animals to avoid mineral deficiencies such as calcium, phosphorus and copper, etc.
- Improving the health and welfare of animals
The promotion of multiple traditional vaccine programmes is aimed at overcoming both infectious and contagious animal diseases. The disease causes a drop in milk production and also affects the health condition of animals. Establishment of dairy federations, private agencies, disease investigation laboratories and farmers’ federations has been carried out to ensure the effective production and treatment of livestock. Timely and efficient deworming is necessary for the health and optimum production of animals. Diseases affect the financial condition of livestock farmers in the country and also affect the livestock industry’s export potential. For profitable dairy production, the disease control approach should be pursued rather than the treatment of livestock.
- Adoption of integrated farming
Adoption of integrated farming is the best ways to raise farmer’s incomes, to ensure and financially safe entrepreneurship. The combination, through professional planning strategies, including the use of resources of the soil, crops, water, and animal resources of a farm allows being integrated. Farm wastes are better recycled for useful purposes in the integrated farming system. Animal husbandry, such as duck cum rice production, duck cum fish production, etc. integrated farming systems are to be useful for farmers. The best way to recycle organic waste manure has also been used in combination with fish farming and livestock. Crop diversification is the safest livelihood strategy for farm households. Increased income stability, food protection, the transportation of fuel and farmers’ food is given in integrated farming.
- Promotion of contract farming
It is possible to increase the production of livestock and the sale of goods using holistic contract farming and to facilitate the establishment by the parties concerned of a mutually beneficial and effective contract farming system, by establishing a pleasant and efficient institutional structure and by enforcing the regulatory and policy framework for contract farming. Contract livestock and poultry farming, including risk coverage, can be promoted by cooperatives and agricultural enterprises.
- Proper use of animal byproducts
A potentially useful source for feeding livestock is animal by-products such as refined animal proteins, old food products, animal fats, and milk and egg products. Thus, by organizing awareness programs & education for farmers, we can enhance their incomes as well as the socio-economic status and with the use of various animal by-products such as the by-products of dairy, dung, urine and meat. Vermicompost is an organic material bio-oxidation and stabilization process that involves joint action between earthworms and microorganism, contrary to composting, and does not require thermopiles. Biogas is a gas fuel formed by biologically decomposed by-products. Biogas is a clean, renewable energy source to be used as a substitute for other non-renewable energy sources in rural areas to save energy. To engage more animal producers on cooperative models to protect these animals, the Rashtriya Kamdhenu Aayog, the national cow commission, has facilitated the use of various cow dung/urine items as a business model. They also introduced laws banning the slaughter of cows, educating farmers about organic farming and the value of biogas, bio-pesticides and bio-fertilisers, and connecting them to market.
- Value addition of dairy products
The art of preparing sweets and other products such as curd, cheese, paneer, ghee, ice cream, buttermilk, flavoured milk, Kheer, etc. from surplus milk to increase the shelf life of milk and to gain more income is called value addition. The lack of cooling facilities to keep milk fresh in a warm environment has contributed to the preparation of different milk products with a comparatively long shelf life. The economic disposal of dairy by-products is recognized as an important parameter both for the productive milk industry and for improved hygiene for farmers and the environment.
- Promoting climate-smart animal production
Climate has a strong effect on the growth, development, reproduction, health and well-being of livestock by affecting animal physiology; the occurrence of disease, feed and water availability, etc. Increased climate variability in terms of rainfall, precipitation and temperature, in particular, the productivity of livestock is likely to be adversely affected. Consequently, under the altered climate scenario, the rich germplasm of animals that is available in the country will help to sustain it.
- Application of biotechnology
To increase the productivity of animals, modern technology-assisted reproductive technologies, embryo transfer, cloning, embryo sexing, multiple ovulation embryo transfer and semen sexing should be used. To improve milk production and profitability, female sex-sorted semen is made available to livestock farmers to produce more numbers of high genetic merit females. Rumen biotechnology can increase the nutritional value of fibrous and low nitrogen feedstuff for livestock feeding.
- Compulsory insurance for animals
Around 6 per cent of animal heads can be covered by animal insurance from public-sector insurance companies. Creative and adequate insurance models can be created for a variety of organisations to adopt insurance by farmers. Insurance of animals gives the economic stability to farmers due to the sudden death of animals in disease-prone area or any other health hazards. The availability of insurance policies can also encourage productive investment by poor and rural households.
- Fixed minimum support price for livestock products
The benefit of a particular product is mainly the livestock farmer’s concern. It is seen that the price of animal products varies according to region. In some region, the animal’s price is less due to more production or less consumer so the farmer cannot achieve the profits from those products. To accomplish this purpose, it would be a rational option to fix minimum support price for livestock products in favour of the planned diversification of animal’s products. Also, through improved technology, growing consumer connectivity, processing and storage facility, etc., is expected to increase the commercialisation of animal products.
- Strengthening extension services for Livestock
Farmers with extensive knowledge found that 80 per cent of higher net sales were generated by agriculture. Extension in livestock is also largely underestimated. Only about 5 per cent of farms in India have access to livestock farming as compared to 40.4 per cent for crop cultivation. The establishment of an exclusive system of livestock extension staff requires Krishi Vigyan Kendra only with animal husbandry experts for farming activities with an enhancement of ATMA scheme. ICT-based agricultural extension programme produces unbelievable possibilities and can inspire farming communities. Extension agents and other ICT resources enable farmers to deal with animal diseases and problems. Krishi Mela in Krishi Vigyan Kendra is organising camping farmers to provide information on animal husbandry adoption.
- Supportive approach of Government
Educating livestock farmers on different methods of growing value-added goods often help to provide farmers with low-interest loans
Also, the PPP for incorporation and resource sharing should be promoted. The government should implement ambitious agribusiness hubs and set up Special Livestock Zones (SLZs) such as the AMUL model for milk production and the worldwide Nammakal model for poultry production. To achieve higher prices, appoint the officers to detect the milk quality parameters in collection centres with the establishment of proper Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) approved food testing laboratories to control adulteration. The majority of the livestock production funding comes from state governments and around 10 % of the overall spending is contributed to by the central government, i.e. why investment-related tax benefits and private investor credit facilities are lacking, which must be expanded. In the case of natural disasters, the government should set up a disaster management fund for livestock. In addition to reducing the cost of production and improving productivity, infrastructure development, good connectivity, irrigation facilities, marketing, storage, communications, small farm equipment etc. are essential. Regarding resource allocation concerned, in 2018-19, only about 7 % of total public expenditure on agriculture and allied sectors was earned by the livestock sector. Although the value of livestock production was approximately 31.11 % of the value at constant prices of production of total agriculture and the allied sector (DAHD, 2018-19).
- Role of livestock officer & extension workers
Livestock officer & extension workers should direct farmers properly in animal husbandry practice, such as feeding, household and health management, vaccination, record keeping, disease prevention of economic relevance because only 30 per cent farmers are progressive, knowledgeable about their animals and profitably raise the animals in herds. Providing knowledge of livestock policies and schemes, milk market growth programmes and various schemes to farmers is an important part of the extension. Sensibilize and promote exports and educate farmers in the diversification of the livestock products to raise awareness of the value addition of milk and milk byproducts is necessary to enhance farmers income.
- Proper enforcement of laws and assistance services
The Government of India introduced the Kisan Credit Card scheme to provide timely and adequate credit support to farmers in the banking system in a fixable, trouble-free and cost-free manner, given the problems faced by farmers with access to credit. The government should make a special effort to provide concessional credit to PM-KISAN recipients via Kisan Credit Cards such as fisherman and livestock farmers. Women’s self-help organisations have emerged as an effective institution to provide cash credit to small businesses and have a very good record of credit delivery and timely recovery. Timely supplies of inputs such as liquid nitrogen, frozen semen, vaccines, first aid, feed concentrates, mineral blends and forage seeds should be given to dairy farmers through local dairy federations or non-governmental organisations involved in livestock farming. Currently following schemes/programmes introduced by the Government to improve the welfare and production of animals.
National Livestock Mission
The National Livestock Mission (NLM), launched in the financial year 2014-15, aims to ensure the quantitative and qualitative progress of all stakeholders in livestock production systems and capacity building. As of April 2019, the scheme is being introduced as a White Revolution sub-scheme-Rashtriya Pashudhan Vikas Yojana.
National disease control programme
The National Animal Disease Control Program (NADCP) is a flagship programme launched by Hon’ble Prime Minister to control foot and mouth diseases and brucellosis with 100% FMD vaccinated cattle, buffalo, sheep and goats and pigs and 100 per cent Rs. 13, 343,00 crores for five years, bovine female calves aged 4 to 8 months.
- Dairy Entrepreneurship Development Scheme
- Dairy Processing & Infrastructure Development Fund
- Financial assistance schemes of Animal welfare board of India
- Fodder Development Scheme
- National Dairy plan
- National Programme for Bovine Breeding and Dairy Development
- NDDB’s Quality Mark for Milk and Milk Products
- Rashtriya Gokul Mission
- Digitalization of livestock-related services
To provide knowledge about livestock farming and services, the digital platform is also necessary for educated farmers. e-pashuhaat portal an E-market portal for bovine germplasm, which aims to connect breeders and farmers regarding the availability of bovine germplasm. The portal has been launched under the scheme “National Mission on Bovine Productivity.” e- Gopala app India’s first digital platform under the Aatmanirbhar Guapalak with the comprehensive animal system to enhance traceability, breed improvement, and animal health. The farmer can now get information about their nearest semen station or veterinarian and gets alerts about vaccination or training camp.
CONCLUSION
Livestock production represents a promising opportunity to increase farmers’ incomes, particularly in less-developed regions of the country. The livestock industry performs well in the processing, value-added and export of milk, fishing, wool, poultry and other products. Livestock sector needs affordable, effective and appropriate extension services, adequate feeds & fodder, efficient program for animal welfare and effective chains for the marketing and trade of livestock products. This strategy is only feasible when central and state governments, district officials, block officials as well as the banking system remain committed and work together to increase livestock farming incomes as with improving and promoting the livestock sector so that the farmer’s income can be double by 2022.
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