Role of Veterinarians & Livestock Sector for “Viksit Bharat@2047”: An Overview
Dr. Alok Kumar Yadav
Assistant Commissioner ,CCS National Institute of Animal Health Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh, India
Abstract:
Livestock play a significant role in rural livelihoods and the economies of developing countries. They are providers of income and employment for producers and others working in, sometimes complex, value chains. They are a crucial asset and safety net for the poor, especially for women and pastoralist groups, and they provide an important source of nourishment for billions of rural and urban households. These socio-economic roles and others are increasing in importance as the sector grows because of increasing human populations, incomes and urbanisation rates. To provide these benefits, the sector uses a significant amount of land, water, biomass and other resources and emits a considerable quantity of greenhouse gases. There is concern on how to manage the sector’s growth, so that these benefits can be attained 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 valuable source of nutrients for smallholder crops, whereas in more industrial systems, or where there are large concentrations of animals, they can pollute water sources. On the other hand, ruminant systems in developing countries can be considered relatively resource-use inefficient. Because of the high yield gaps in most of these production systems, increasing the efficiency of the livestock sector through sustainable intensification practices presents a real opportunity where research and development can contribute to provide more sustainable solutions. In order to achieve this, it is necessary that production systems become market-orientated, better regulated in cases, and socially acceptable so that the right mix of incentives exists for the systems to intensify. Managing the required intensification and the shifts to new value chains is also essential to avoid a potential increase in zoonotic, food-borne and other diseases. New diversification options and improved safety nets will also be essential when intensification is not the primary avenue for developing the livestock sector. These processes will need to be supported by agile and effective public and private institutions.
Key words: Veterinarians, Livestock Sector, rural livelihoods, developing countries.
Introduction:
Veterinarians promote animal health and welfare, which contributes to the economy. There is urgent need to bridge the gap to get a sustainable economic benefit and achieve the target for Viksit Bharat@2047. Veterinarians implement different government schemes and projects for improvement of livestock and poultry sector across the country and improve the food and nutritional status of farm families. The livestock sector and veterinarians play a vital role in the Indian economy and in the welfare of the rural population. Livestock contributes to the Indian economy in many ways, including:
- Income: Livestock provides a livelihood for about 20.5 million people and contributes to the income of small farm households.
- GDP: The livestock sector contributes 9% to India’s GDP.
- Employment: The livestock sector employs 8% of the labor force in India.
- Sustainability: Livestock improves the sustainability of agriculture.
- Nutrition: Livestock contributes to human health and nutrition.
- Poverty alleviation: Livestock helps reduce rural poverty.
What is the role of veterinarian in empowerment of rural India?
Veterinarians play a crucial role in empowering farmers with knowledge and skills related to animal husbandry. Through training programs, workshops, and on-site consultations, they educate farmers on best practices in breeding, nutrition, and disease management.
What is the contribution of livestock sector in India?
Contribution to GDP: Contribution to total Livestock GVA (at constant prices) was 30.19% of Agricultural and Allied Sector GVA and 5. 73% of Total GVA in 2021-22.
What is the role of livestock in developing countries like India?
Livestock plays an important role in Indian economy. About 20.5 million people depend upon livestock for their livelihood. Livestock contributed 16% to the income of small farm households as against an average of 14% for all rural households. Livestock provides livelihood to two-third of rural community.
What is the role of livestock in poverty alleviation?
Livestock are multifunctional. Through their food and non-food functions, they make significant contributions towards improving the sustainability of agriculture, farm incomes, nutrition and human health, and reducing rural poverty (Livestock in Development 1999; Otte et al. 2012).
What is the role and responsibility of veterinarian?
A Veterinarian is an animal healthcare professional who diagnoses and treats injuries and illnesses in animals. They use medical tools and diagnostic equipment like x-ray machines and perform surgeries when necessary. Veterinarians provide essential medical services for pets, similar to how physicians care for humans.
What is the role of animal husbandry in rural development?
Animal husbandry helps in the proper management of animals by providing proper food, shelter and protection against diseases to domestic animals. It provides employment to a large number of farmers and thereby increases their living standards.
What is the role of livestock in national income?
Livestock provides livelihood to two-third of rural community. It also provides employment to about 8.8 % of the population in India. India has vast livestock resources. Livestock sector contributes 4.11% GDP and 25.6% of total Agriculture GDP.
What is the most important livestock in India?
India is the largest producer of Milk and Buffalo Meat. There are about 303.76 Mn bovines (cattle, buffalo, mithun and yak), 74.26 Mn sheep, 148.88 Mn goats, 9.06 Mn pigs and about 851.81 Mn poultry as per 20th Livestock Census in the country.
What is the meaning of livestock sector?
Animals such as cows, sheep, etc. that is kept or traded as a source of income: livestock farmers/industry/market the organic livestock industry has grown substantially in the last few years.
What is the role of livestock in sustainable development?
Sustainable practices help reduce negative environmental impacts of livestock farming such as deforestation, soil erosion and water pollution. This contributes to the preservation of ecosystems and biodiversity.
What is the rank of India in livestock population?
India has the world’s largest livestock population. With a cattle population of 192.49 million, India has the largest number of cattle in the world. Hence, statement (a) is correct. With a buffalo population of 109.85 million, India has about 50% of the total population of buffaloes of the world
What is the export of livestock from India?
Buffalo meat dominated the exports with a contribution of over 79.52% in total livestock products export from India in 2021-22. The main markets for Indian buffalo meat and other livestock products are Vietnam, Malaysia, Egypt, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and USA.
How to increase the efficiency of livestock?
Improving the productivity of livestock fed with quality feed saves the time it takes for the heifers to mate, and reduces the time it takes for the female carcasses to give birth. Investment in a single service sector in animal husbandry will have an impact on the integrated development of the industry.
What is the economic importance of livestock?
The livestock provides food and non-food items to the people. Food: The livestock provides food items such as Milk, Meat and Eggs for human consumption. India is number one milk producer in the world. It is producing about 230.58 million tonnes during 2022-23.
What is the role of livestock in rural areas?
Animals like sheep and goat serve as sources of income during emergencies to meet exigencies like marriages, treatment of sick persons, children education, repair of houses etc. The animals also serve as moving banks and assets which provide economic security to the owners.
What is the role of veterinarian in animal welfare?
It includes not only prevention and treatment of diseases or injuries, but also animal nutrition, production, management, extension etc – a combination of bio-veterinary, husbandry, physical and social sciences to the problems associated with animal welfare.
What is the importance of veterinarian?
Veterinarians protect people from disease. Veterinarians are the first and best line of defense against animal diseases that could threaten public health and our national security. They prevent and treat zoonotic diseases—diseases that can affect both animals and people—from rabies to avian flu.
What is the full meaning of veterinarian?
A person trained in the medical treatment of animals: He is the chief veterinarian for the zoo and deals with all kinds and sizes of animals.
What is the difference between livestock and animal husbandry?
“Livestock farming” refers to the activity of running a commercial farm/business with livestock whilst “animal husbandry” refers specifically to the activity of taking care of the overall health of the livestock. This can include managing their nutrition, health treatments, shelter etc.
How do good animal husbandry practices benefit farmers?
Hint: The benefits of animal husbandry practices to farmers are the improvement of breeds, increases in yields such as milk, meat, eggs. It helps the farmers for proper management of animals like providing them good food, shelter, and protection against a variety of diseases.
What is animal improvement in animal husbandry?
Animal improvement refers to the ways of developing and breeding only those animals that show the greatest merit under consideration such as good feed conversion, growth rate, disease resistance, egg size, etc.
What is the contribution of livestock sector?
Livestock plays an important role in Indian economy. About 20.5 million people depend upon livestock for their livelihood. Livestock contributed 16% to the income of small farm households as against an average of 14% for all rural households. Livestock provides livelihood to two-third of rural community.
Why is livestock important in natural farming?
The integration of livestock in the farming system plays a important role in Natural farming and helps in restoring the ecosystem. Ecofriendly bio-inputs, such as Jeevamrit and Beejamrit, are prepared from cow dung and urine, and other natural products.
What is National Mission for livestock?
The National Livestock Mission (NLM) aims towards employment generation, entrepreneurship development, increase in per animal productivity and thus targeting increased production of meat, goat milk, egg and wool.
Why is animal husbandry important for the rural economy?
(i) Animal husbandry provides livestock production. (ii) It is an integral part of crop farming and contributes significantly to household nutritional security. (iii) Sheep provide us wool, mutton and skin. (iv) Cows, buffaloes etc.
What is the current status of livestock in India?
The total Livestock population is 536.76 million in the country showing an increase of 4.8% over Livestock Census-2012. The total Livestock population in rural and urban area is 514.11 million and 22.65 million respectively with percentage share of 95.78% for rural and 4.22% for urban area.
Who are called livestock?
Livestock, farm animals, with the exception of poultry. In Western countries the category encompasses primarily cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, horses, donkeys, and mules; other animals, such as buffalo, oxen, llamas, or camels, may predominate in the agriculture of other areas.
What is the growth rate of livestock sector in India?
From 2014-15 to 2022-23, the livestock sector grew at an impressive Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 7.38 per cent at constant prices. The contribution of livestock to the total GVA (at constant prices) in agriculture and allied sectors increased from 24.32 per cent in 2014-15 to 30.38 per cent in 2022-23.
What are the activities of livestock?
Livestock farming is the practice of raising animals for their products. It includes activities such as breeding, feeding, and caring for the animals. Animals are typically kept in large pastures or pens and fed a balanced diet to remain healthy and productive.
What is the function of livestock?
Livestock are the domesticated animals raised in an agricultural setting in order to provide labour and produce diversified products for consumption such as meat, eggs, milk, fur, leather, and wool.
Why does livestock production need to be improved?
With the rise in population, the demand for food, milk, eggs, and meat rises. Therefore, there has to be some process to increase the production of these food items to meet the rising requirements. Animal husbandry is essential to manage this gap between demand and supply.
What is the GDP of livestock in India?
India has vast livestock resources. The Gross Value Added (GVA) of livestock sector is about Rs. 12,27,766 crore (Ref: First Revised Estimates of National Income, Consumption Expenditure and Capital Formation for 2021-22 of National Statistical Office (NSO), MoSPI dtd 31.01. 2023).
Can we import Livestock in India?
Livestock and Livestock Products are imported as a baggage and cargo through Airport, Seaport, Rail route, Land route and ICDs. The said consignments are referred by the customs for Animal Quarantine Clearance in compliance to import Quarantine health rules of the Government of India.
What is the contribution of livestock to the national economy?
Contribution to GDP: Contribution to total Livestock GVA (at constant prices) was 30.19% of Agricultural and Allied Sector GVA and 5. 73% of Total GVA in 2021-22.
What are the roles of livestock in developing countries?
They are providers of income and employment for producers and others working in, sometimes complex, value chains. They are a crucial asset and safety net for the poor, especially for women and pastoralist groups, and they provide an important source of nourishment for billions of rural and urban households.
What is the role of livestock in poverty alleviation?
Livestock are multifunctional. Through their food and non-food functions, they make significant contributions towards improving the sustainability of agriculture, farm incomes, nutrition and human health, and reducing rural poverty (Livestock in Development 1999; Otte et al. 2012).
What is the role and responsibility of veterinarian?
A Veterinarian is an animal healthcare professional who diagnoses and treats injuries and illnesses in animals. They use medical tools and diagnostic equipment like x-ray machines and perform surgeries when necessary. Veterinarians provide essential medical services for pets, similar to how physicians care for humans.
Conclusion:
The livestock sector and veterinarians play a critical role in India’s development, and can contribute to the goal of transforming India into a developed nation by 2047, as envisioned in the Viksit Bharat 2047 initiative, the livestock sector is a key growth driver for the Indian economy, contributing 9% to the GDP and employing 8% of the labour force. Livestock provide food and non-food items, such as milk, meat, and eggs, to the people. They also contribute to improving the sustainability of agriculture, farm incomes, nutrition, and human health, and reducing rural poverty. Veterinarians can play a role in the welfare of livestock farmers and animal wealth. The Viksit Bharat 2047 initiative aims to transform India into a developed nation by 2047, the 100th year of India’s independence. The livestock and veterinarian as projected by their roles discussed before can play pivotal role in ensuring a Viksit Bharat, through ensuring a sustainable economic growth, food and nutritional security, protecting from zoonoses and contributing for one health, bio-security and many more.
