Role of Veterinarians & Livestock Sector for “Viksit Bharat@2047”
Ritesh Patel1, Imran Ali1, Alok Bharti2 and Ranjan Kumar Singh2
1Department of Veterinary Pathology 2Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding
Bihar Veterinary College, BASU, Patna
The livestock industry is a critical pillar of India’s rural economy and a vital element of the country’s overall development plan, contributing significantly to the achievement of Viksit Bharat@2047’s ambitious goals. This industry, which accounts for 5.7% of India’s GDP and 25.6% of agricultural GDP, is more than just an economic activity; it is a transformational force that drives rural development, poverty reduction, and food security. Its capacity to offer sustainable livelihoods for over 100 million rural people emphasizes its socioeconomic importance, particularly for small and marginal farmers, who control more than 70% of the country’s livestock and backyard poultry. Women also make major contributions to animal care, expanding the sector’s inclusion and developmental influence. Smallholder farmers serve as the backbone of India’s livestock ecosystem, which is uniquely decentralized and inclusive. This system has driven India to world dairy production supremacy, producing more than 220 million tons of milk each year. For rural families, livestock husbandry serves as a “biological ATM,” providing long-term financial returns, emergency cash assistance, and important nutritional supplies in the form of milk, meat, and eggs. Furthermore, the industry follows a circular economic model, with ruminants transforming agricultural byproducts and crop wastes into valuable outputs such as milk, meat, wool, skins, and dung, so increasing resource efficiency and reducing waste. Veterinarians have critical roles as facilitators and strategic builders in this transforming landscape. Their contributions extend beyond traditional animal treatment to include breeding, nutrition, illness prevention, policy development, and technology innovation. Veterinarians contribute considerably to human health, economic resilience, and rural development by implementing sophisticated breeding techniques, improving disease control, and generating value-added livestock products, as well as increasing animal output. The market for cattle products in India is continually expanding, driven by increased buying power, population expansion, and changing dietary preferences. This opens several prospects for innovation and growth within the industry, notably in the development of value-added goods for both domestic and international markets. However, achieving the lofty objective of Viksit Bharat@2047 necessitates a comprehensive and coordinated methodology. Strategic investments in technology, infrastructure, and comprehensive regulatory frameworks are required to transform the cattle sector into one that is sustainable, resilient, and internationally competitive.
Current Livestock and Poultry Scenario
The 20th Livestock Census indicates total livestock population of India is approximately 535.8 million, comprising 303.76 million bovines (cattle, buffalo, Mithun and yak), 148.88 million goats, 74.26 million sheep, and 9.06 million pigs. Poultry stands at an impressive 851.81 million. India remains the world’s largest milk producer, with total production reaching 221.06 million tonnes in 2021-22, marking a 5.29% growth over the previous year. India ranks first in milk production globally, third in egg production, and eighth in meat production. Per capita availability of milk is 444 grams per day, which exceeds the global average (305 grams per day). In terms of eggs, the per capita availability is 95 eggs per year, showing steady growth in meeting dietary protein needs.
India’s Livestock goal for Viksit Bharat@2047
As India progresses toward its vision of becoming a Viksit Bharat by 2047, the livestock sector is poised to play a crucial role in fostering rural development, ensuring food security, and driving economic growth. The ambitious targets set for 2047 include a 50% increase in livestock productivity, doubling farmers’ income, achieving self-sufficiency in the production of milk, meat, and eggs, and reducing the prevalence of diseases in livestock by 75%.
Vision of Livestock Sector for Viksit Bharat@2047
The livestock sector emerges as a pivotal economic catalyst for India’s developmental journey, with NITI Aayog envisioning a comprehensive transformation by 2047. According to NITI Aayog’s strategic roadmap, the sector is projected to contribute 8-10% to national GDP, generating 50 million employment opportunities while addressing sustainable development goals. The strategic framework emphasizes technological integration, genomic breeding, precision farming, and climate-resilient livestock management, positioning India as a global leader in agricultural innovation. Key recommendations include comprehensive policy interventions, digital infrastructure development, and targeted support for small and marginal farmers who currently own 70% of livestock resources. NITI Aayog highlights the sector’s potential to drive rural economic empowerment, nutritional security, and inclusive growth through advanced veterinary interventions, AI-driven health monitoring, and blockchain-enabled supply chain transparency. The vision encompasses creating a robust ecosystem that transforms livestock from a traditional economic activity to a sophisticated, technology-driven sector, aligning with Prime Minister’s vision of Viksit Bharat@2047 by leveraging India’s demographic dividend, promoting sustainable practices, and establishing a globally competitive livestock infrastructure that balances economic productivity with environmental stewardship and animal welfare.
Role of Veterinarians in India’s Livestock Sector for Viksit Bharat@2047
Veterinarians play a vital role in transforming India’s livestock sector into a key contributor to economic growth, food security, and sustainable development, which aligns with the nation’s vision of Viksit Bharat@2047. Their contributions span various aspects of livestock management, including disease control, animal welfare, and public health, all of which are essential to achieving the country’s developmental objectives.
Disease Management and Prevention: A crucial responsibility of veterinarians is managing animal diseases, which involves diagnosing, treating, and preventing the spread of diseases among livestock. They implement vaccination programs, health initiatives, and surveillance systems to prevent outbreaks, ensuring the health of animals and humans alike. Zoonotic diseases, which are transmitted from animals to humans, represent a significant public health challenge. Around 75% of human diseases stem from animals, making veterinarians key players in controlling outbreaks like bird flu, swine flu, rabies, and more recently, COVID-19. Their efforts in quarantine, inspections, and sanitation safeguard both animal and public health.
Sustainable Agricultural Practices: Veterinarians are integral in promoting sustainable agricultural practices. They guide farmers in adopting environmentally friendly methods that boost farm productivity while minimizing ecological impact. By focusing on proper livestock health management, nutrition, and breeding, veterinarians ensure that farming practices support environmental sustainability, leading to higher productivity and efficient resource use.
Enhancing Livestock Production: Veterinarians provide expert advice on improving livestock production through selective breeding, nutrition, and management practices. Their work is crucial in improving dairy yields, meat production, and overall animal health, which contributes to the growth of the sector. They also assist in the development of advanced breeding techniques, such as artificial insemination, to improve the genetic quality of livestock and increase productivity.
Food Safety and Security: Veterinarians play a significant role in ensuring the safety of animal-derived food products like milk, meat, eggs, and poultry. They conduct inspections and enforce food safety regulations to prevent contamination and protect public health. Their efforts in controlling diseases like foot-and-mouth disease, avian influenza, and tuberculosis are essential for maintaining the quality and safety of animal-based food products.
The One Health Approach: The One Health concept emphasizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. Veterinarians are central to this integrated approach, collaborating with medical doctors, ecologists, and environmental scientists to prevent the transmission of diseases between animals, humans, and the environment. As a large portion of emerging infectious diseases in humans are zoonotic, veterinarians play a crucial role in managing animal health and reducing the spread of diseases that can affect humans.
Companion Animals and Human Health: Veterinarians are also essential for maintaining the health of companion animals such as dogs, cats, and birds. These animals not only serve as pets but also assist in security, search-and-rescue operations, and therapy. Veterinarians ensure these animals receive proper care, vaccinations, and disease management, thereby enhancing the well-being of their owners. They also play a role in understanding and improving animal behavior for better performance in various roles.
Animal Welfare and Ethics: Veterinarians are key advocates for animal welfare. They enforce laws protecting animals from cruelty, educate the public on responsible pet ownership, and ensure the proper treatment of animals. They are often called upon to investigate cases of abuse and neglect, helping implement the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, which provides legal safeguards for animals in India.
Ecology, Wildlife Conservation, and Disaster Management: Veterinarians actively participate in wildlife conservation efforts, working alongside environmentalists to protect endangered species and their habitats. They also contribute to wildlife health management in zoos, national parks, and sanctuaries. During natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, and forest fires, veterinarians provide emergency care and relief to displaced and injured animals. Their work is particularly critical when environmental stresses lead to disease outbreaks among livestock and wildlife.
Training and Education: Veterinarians also serve an educational role, training farmers, agricultural professionals, and the public on animal health management, disease prevention, and sustainable farming practices. By equipping farmers with knowledge on animal care, nutrition, and breeding, veterinarians help enhance productivity, reduce costs, and ensure the success and sustainability of livestock farming.
Challenges and Opportunities for Viksit Bharat@2047
As India strives to become a developed nation by 2047, the livestock sector will play a crucial role in achieving its vision. However, several challenges need to be addressed, along with the immense opportunities for growth and improvement. These challenges are closely tied to both global trends and local realities, presenting unique obstacles but also avenues for transformation.
Climate Change and Disease Outbreaks: Climate change presents a significant challenge to the livestock sector by altering weather patterns, increasing the frequency of extreme events, and creating conditions that favor the spread of diseases. Rising temperatures lead to heat stress, which negatively impacts animal productivity, fertility, and overall health. Moreover, climate shifts can promote the spread of vector-borne diseases, threatening livestock populations. Nevertheless, these challenges offer opportunities to develop climate-resilient farming practices, strengthen disease monitoring systems, and breed animals capable of withstanding higher temperatures. By embracing climate-smart agricultural practices, the sector can adapt, ensuring continued productivity and supporting food security and rural economies.
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR): The growing issue of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a serious concern for both animal and public health. The overuse of antibiotics in livestock farming contributes to the development of resistant pathogens, which can transfer to humans, complicating treatment for diseases. However, this challenge presents an opportunity for veterinarians and policymakers to encourage responsible antibiotic use and explore alternatives such as vaccines and probiotics. Strengthening regulations and improving disease management practices can help mitigate AMR, enhancing the health of both animals and humans while ensuring the long-term sustainability of the livestock industry.
Animal Welfare and Ethics: With the rising demand for animal products, concerns regarding animal welfare and ethics are becoming more pronounced. Issues such as factory farming, inhumane treatment, and neglect are raising calls for stronger enforcement of animal welfare laws and practices. While these concerns pose a challenge to sector growth, they also create the opportunity to adopt humane farming practices, improve the conditions of farm animals, and promote ethical sourcing. By adhering to animal welfare standards, the livestock industry can appeal to a growing base of ethical consumers, boosting both domestic and international marketability.
Market Access and Competitiveness: A major challenge facing India’s livestock sector is the limited market access for farmers, especially smallholders. Farmers often struggle to access competitive markets due to inadequate infrastructure, poor cold chain facilities, and insufficient transportation networks. This limits their ability to receive fair prices for their products and diminishes their profitability. However, these challenges present opportunities to invest in infrastructure improvements, such as modern markets, storage facilities, and enhanced logistics. By enhancing market access and reducing post-harvest losses, India can strengthen its position in the global livestock market and significantly increase farmers’ incomes.
Human-Animal-Environment Interface: The interconnection between human, animal, and environmental health is at the heart of the One Health approach, which emphasizes the need for a holistic approach to livestock management. Challenges such as zoonotic diseases, environmental degradation, and resource overexploitation underscore the need for integrated health policies that prioritize the well-being of animals, humans, and the environment. By adopting sustainable farming practices, improving waste management, and preventing the spread of zoonotic diseases, the livestock sector can contribute to a healthier environment and improved public health outcomes, supporting a more sustainable and balanced ecosystem.
Conclusion
The livestock sector is a critical component of India’s economic and developmental trajectory, with immense potential to drive rural prosperity, food security, and sustainable growth by 2047. As outlined in the vision of Viksit Bharat, the sector must undergo a comprehensive transformation, leveraging technological advancements, sustainable practices, and inclusive policies. Veterinarians play a pivotal role in this transformation by ensuring disease management, improving livestock productivity, and advocating for animal welfare. While challenges such as climate change, antimicrobial resistance, and market access exist, they also present significant opportunities for innovation and sectoral growth. By addressing these challenges with strategic investments in infrastructure, research, and policy, India can harness its livestock sector’s full potential, boosting its global competitiveness and contributing to the overall achievement of Viksit Bharat’s goals.
References
Government of India. (2021). National Accounts Statistics 2021. Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation.
World Bank. (2022). India: Transforming the Livestock Sector to Boost Rural Livelihoods.
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). (2021). Livestock’s Contribution to Food Security and Nutrition.
ICAR-National Dairy Research Institute. (2022). Annual Report 2022: Dairy and Livestock Innovations.
Rashtriya Gokul Mission, Government of India.
Press Release:Press Information Bureau
Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics 2022
