By Dr. Smruti Smita Mohapatra
Food is an indispensible part of our life. It is the source of energy, contentment, happiness and bonding. Agriculture, being the main source of food in majority of the agrarian economies across the globe invariably, is the staple source of income for livelihood. Rearing livestock and animal husbandry are considered bonus to a farmer’s income and small scale business. Livestock constitutes the animal wealth in India. They play an important role in the Indian economy. Their contribution to Gross Domestic Product comprises of a larger percentage of the total Gross Domestic Product from agriculture as well. Animal husbandry and dairying generate employment and rural income. Livestock is an adjunct to crop agriculture in India. The ancient agricultural practices in India include dairying and animal husbandry.
India has vast livestock resources. Over 20.5 million people depend on livestock for their livelihood. The 20th Livestock Census in 2019 includes cattle, buffalo, mithun, yak, sheep, goat, pig, horse, pony, mule, donkey, camel, dog, rabbit, elephant, poultry birds (fowl, duck, emu, turkeys, quail and other poultry birds). Livestock resources in India – cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goat, poultry, pigs, camel, contributes to dairying, milk nutrients, animal meat and by-products including bee keeping and rabbitry. Adaptation of various government schemes have led to commercial ventures in dairy, poultry, meat, wool and animal fibres in both rural and urban areas. Apart from agriculture, the burgeoning population in India meets its food requirements from animal sources. Poultry industries and abattoir houses cater to the daily requirement of meat and eggs across towns, cities and villages. The relevance of current agricultural education among today’s youth emphasizes on animal agriculture as well.
- Cattle and Buffaloes
Cattle and buffaloes are the source of milk production, power for farm operations, irrigation, transport and manure production. Stressing on the importance of sustainable agriculture, these animals are maintained largely on crop residues and agricultural by-products. India ranks first in total livestock population in the world. The total livestock population in 2019 is 536.76 million in India. It shows an increase of 4.6% over Livestock Census-2012. The total bovine population (Cattle, Buffalo, Mithun and Yak) is 302.79 million in 2019 which shows an increase of about 1% over the previous census. The total number of cattle in the country in 2019 is 192.49 million showing an increase of 0.8% over the previous census. The cow population is 145.12 million, increased by 18% over 2012 census. The exotic/crossbred and indigenous/non-descript cattle population in India is 50.42 million and 142.11 million respectively. The indigenous/non-descript female cattle population has increased by 10% in 2019 as compared to previous census. The population of the total exotic/crossbred cattle has increased by 26.9% in 2019 as compared to previous census. There is a decline of 6 % in the total indigenous/ non-descript cattle population over the previous census. However, the pace of decline of indigenous/ non-descript cattle population during 2012-2019 is much lesser as compared to the 2007-12 which was about 9%. The total buffaloes in the country in 2019 are 109.85 million showing an increase of about 1% over 2012 Census. The total milch animals (in-milk and dry) in cows and buffaloes are 125.34 million, an increase of 6% over 2012 census. India ranks first in total bovine and buffalo population in the world. India has the second largest cattle population in the world. The total yak and mithun population in India is 0.06 million and 0.39 million respectively. Cattle rearing generate employment and entrepreneurship amongst the rural youth. Women in agriculture largely depend on livestock farming. The Operation Flood by Dr. Verghese Kurien – the father of White Revolution in India, is the outcome of surplus milk production in India. This has largely helped in improving the economic status of small scale rural and marginal farmers in India. India shares 20.17% of total milk production in the world and thus becomes the world’s largest milk producer.
- Sheep
The total sheep population in the country is 74.26 million in 2019, increased by 14.1% over the previous census. Sheep in India produce mutton, greasy wool and skin on large scale. India has the third largest sheep population in the world. India is the ninth largest wool producer in the world.
- Goat
The goat population in the country in 2019 is 148.88 million showing an increase of 10.1% over the 2012 census. India has the second largest goat population in the world and holds second position in chevon production in the world. Goats are generally farmed by people who do not possess any land and are below the poverty line. Goat’s milk is known as poor man’s milk. It is used to cure tuberculosis. The annual contribution of goats to Indian economy is through chevon, milk, skin, Pashmina, offal, manure and blood. India ranks first in the goat milk production in the world.
- Poultry
The total poultry in the country is 851.81 million in 2019, registered an increase of 16.8% in the total poultry. The total birds in the backyard poultry in the country is 317.07 million. The backyard poultry has increased by around 46% as compared to previous census. The total commercial poultry in the country is 534.74 million in 2019, increased by 4.5% over 2012 census. Poultry includes domestication of chicken, turkey, geese, guinea fowl, peal fowl and quail for commercial reasons. Chicken contributes for the larger portion of the total poultry in India followed by ducks. India accounts for the third largest producer of eggs in the world. India ranks fifth in poultry production and sixth in poultry meat production in the world. India stands eighth in duck production in the world.
- Pigs
The total pig population in India is 9.06 million in the present census. The native rural pigs are believed to be the most efficient feed converting animals. The exotic pig breeds are Hampshire, Tamworth, Landrace and Large White Yorkshire. The north eastern states of India has the highest pig population in India contributing to pork, ham, sausages and bacon to the restaurants and food chains in India. India holds second position in bristle production (a pig industry by-product) in the world.
- Camel
The other livestock includes mithun, yak, horses, ponies, mule, donkeys, camel together which contribute around 0.23% of the total livestock. The total population of other such livestock is 1.24 million in 2019. Total camel population is 0.25 million. Camelus dromedarius are the desert ships. Camels in India are found in the North-western states such as Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana and Punjab. They provide milk, meat, hair, bones and manure to the rural population in these areas. They provide power for transport and dry farming in arid and semi-arid regions in India. India has the ninth largest camel population in the world.
- Equines
Horses, ponies, donkeys and mules are used in India for transportation purposes in high altitude and terrains. They are used by the armed forces for supply chain in remote locations. Polo, riding and sports/races are believed to be lucrative and entertaining in metros and big cities. Total horses and ponies population is. 0.34 million. Total mules population is 0.08 million. Total donkey population: 0.12 million. The popular Indian breeds of horse are Marwari, Zanskari, Kathiawari, Spiti, Manipuri and Bhutia.
- Rabbits
The rabbit raising enterprise of multipurpose rabbits for easily digestible nutritious meat, normal wool, fur, pleasure and skin is a huge business in India. The skin of Rex and Satin breeds are used as an alternate of expensive furs. Angora wool of Angora rabbit is the finest animal fibres. The total population of rabbit in India is 0.55 million.
- Dairying
Dairying is a subsidiary activity to agriculture for the landless small scale marginal farmers in India. The milk production of indigenous milch breeds such as Sahiwal, Red Sindhi, Gir and Deoni is on the average more than 1600 kg per lactation. India produces milk from cows, buffaloes, sheep, goats and camels together by proper utilization of crop residues while rearing the livestock. Therefore the new scheme during COVID-19 to set up animal husbandry infrastructure development fund aims to support private investment in dairy processing, value addition and cattle feed infrastructure. National Animal Disease Control Programme for Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Brucellosis have been launched with total outlay of Rs. 13,343 crore to ensure 100% vaccination of cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat and pig population (total 53 crore animals) for Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and for brucellosis. 1.5 crore cows and buffaloes have been tagged and vaccinated by now. .
- Milk nutrients
Milk nutrients in the form of lactose, milk fats and solid not fats (SNF) add to the nutrition of the majority of the vegetarians in India. Milk is a rich source of casein, immunoglobulins, animo acids – lysine and valine, essential minerals like calcium, phosphorus and vitamins. Milk products such as milk powder, curd, paneer, ghee, khoa, sweets, butter milk, butter, cheese, cream and ice cream have revolutionzed the Indian dairy industry. The large bovine population, good manufacturing practices, hygienic packaging and manufacturing have added to the rising demand supply chain improving the Indian economy.
- Animal meat and by-products
The main animal products which support income in India are beef, carabeef, mutton, chevon, pork, poultry meat, hides and skins. India ranks first in carabeef production and fifth in meat production in the world. Animal by-products are obtained from livestock, slaughtered and dead animals. Blood, organ meat, casings and bones are the edible by-products from slaughtered animals. Blood meal, bone meal, horns, hooves, glands, hormones and gastro-intestinal contents are obtained from slaughtered animals as non-edible by-products. The gastro-intestinal contents are used as fuels and fertilizers. Dead animals give away hides, skin, horns, hooves, bones, bone products, meat meal and fats.
- Bee keeping
The apiary industry is a promising venture among the rural youth. Apis cerana is used for commercial bee keeping in India. The recent agricultural reforms during COVID -19 for the establishment of scheme for infrastructure development related to integrated bee keeping development centres, collection, marketing and storage centres, post harvest and value addition facilities, implementation of standards, developing traceability system, capacity building with thrust on women, development of quality nucleus stock and bee breeders will lead to increase in income for two lakhs beekeepers and quality honey to the consumers.
The growth of agriculture sector in India can be enhanced by the efficient management of livestock. The increasing demand of food, fibres and fuel can be met by sustaining agricultural productivity through livestock resources. Animal agriculture is a global industry. The principle of 3Rs’ in the context of food production and consumption – Reduce, Reuse and Recycle can build a sustainable environment. Raising animals for food, slaughter and processing requires tonnes and tonnes of water and fuel energy resources which can be diverted to grow organic fruits and vegetables as a basic simple lifestyle lesson. Encouraging local grown crops from seasonal and organic kitchen gardens pave a long way. Growing seasonal crops through different agricultural techniques along with animal rearing prevents biodiversity loss and reduces stress. Fortifying the large scale production of cereals as an alternate to animal protein sources enhances food security simultaneously. Zero food wastage removes global hunger, poverty and starvation. Shifting to free range egg production, clean milk production, encouraging agro-forestry, empowering local farmers and producers can improve Indian economy. Undertaking mitigation strategies to reduce farm and livestock related green house gases (GHGs), reduce livestock pasture grazing, optimising the physiology/morphology of livestock to reduce methane through nutritional interventions contribute to sustainable agriculture by fighting climate change. Thus livestock is the major production resource influencing the development of Indian economy.
Dr. Smruti Smita Mohapatra
Ph.D. Scholar
Department of Veterinary Physiology
Faculty of Veterinary & Animal Sciences
WBUAFS
Kolkata, West Bengal- 700037, India
Email: simplysmruti@gmail.com
