2019 – Posted in: RSTV

LIVESTOCK CENSUS 2019

In News

Preliminary data from the 20th livestock census published by the Department of Livestock and Dairy showed that livestock increased by 4.6%, compared with 512.06 million in 2012. The total number of head of cattle was fixed at about 536 million.

It was conducted periodically since 1919-20.
The further decline has been shown in the native cattle population. It also shows that the country’s belt
of cows has moved east and that West Bengal has become a state with the largest cattle population,
leaving behind Uttar Pradesh.

What is the livestock census?

According to the Livestock Census, several species of animals belonging to households, national societies or non-national societies and institutions are enumerated on the site, both in rural and urban areas. In other words, it covers all domestic animals in a given period of time. India has been conducting periodic cattle surveys since 1919-20. This is the twentieth one which has started in October 2018. The last livestock census took place in 2012.

Key Points

The country has a total of 535.78 million animals, which represents a 4.6% increase over the 2012 Census of Livestock. West Bengal recorded the largest increase of 23%, followed by Telangana (22%), a 4.6% increase over the 2012 livestock census.
The total number of cattle in the country increased by 0.8%. The increase is mainly due to a sharp increase in the number of purebred cattle and a larger population of native cattle. Uttar Pradesh has seen a decrease in the livestock population, although the state has taken several measures to save livestock.
A decrease of 6% was observed in the total population of native cattle. The number of indigenous cattle in India continues to decline, despite government efforts to promote the conservation of desi breeds through the Rashtriya Gokul (RGM) mission.
The total number of dairy animals increased by 6%. Due to higher yields, foreign breeds make up more than half of the dairy animal population.
The backyard poultry has increased by around 46% and the total Bovine population has shown an increase of about 1% which consists of Cattle, Buffalo, Mithun and Yak.

State’s Report

Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of livestock of 67.8 million
Rajasthan has 56.8 million of livestock population
Madhya Pradesh has 40.6 million of livestock population
West Bengal has 37.4 million of livestock population

Significance of livestock rearing

Animal species perform important economic, social and cultural functions for rural households when they contribute to improving the income and well-being of the farm family.

Livestock plays an important role in the food supply of rural and urban areas and contributes to family nutrition by providing animal protein.

Cry of Distress: The NSSO (2013) survey of the situation of agricultural households shows that 52% of agricultural households are in debt, with rates ranging up to 89-92% in some states. The anxiety is mainly due to the lack of compensation in the event of drought and disasters, failures of the crop insurance system and the deficit as prices fall below the announced minimum support prices.
Labour: Livestock provides the labor service to the farmers as they cannot afford mechanized farming. They help in a very crude form of mechanized farming for small and marginal farmers.
Reliable source of income: Cattle/livestock do not easily suffer from the failure of the monsoon or any other natural disaster like the agricultural crops. Every part of the cattle is of economic importance, such as leather, wool, meat, etc.
Reduces input cost: Manure and other livestock remain to act as green manure, replacing fertilizer. They also help control weeds without the use of chemicals or other expensive and dangerous methods.
Asset: Livestock is an important asset for a struggling farmer. It can be collected at any time and
help it get out of the debt trap.

Significance of the livestock mission

Increased availability of forage and food to significantly reduce demand
Accelerate the production of quality forage and fodder seeds through an effective seed production chain with the active participation of farmers and in collaboration with dairy cooperatives / farmers, seed companies and private sector companies.
Establish convergence and synergy between current Plan programs and stakeholders for sustainable livestock development.
Promote applied research in priority areas of interest in animal nutrition and animal production.
Encouraging the formation of groups of farmers and cooperatives/producers’ companies of small and marginal farmers, etc.
Promoting activities to control and prevent animal diseases, environmental pollution, etc.
Providing infrastructure and linkage for marketing, processing and value addition, etc.

Challenges ahead

While livestock products make a significant contribution to food security and poverty reduction for many low-income rural families, the policy and institutional framework has not been able to meet the needs of these most vulnerable poor households and bring them to the heart of the crisis of development.
The lack of public animal health services reaching the poorest in rural areas and the lack of links between small farmers and better-paid markets.
Institutional and policy frameworks tend to support intensive and commercial livestock farming, both in service delivery and in facilitating market access.
Pastoralists, including traditional shepherds and smallholders, are victims of and contribute to the degradation of natural resources.
Animal health systems have been neglected in many places leading to institutional weaknesses which in turn result in poor animal health service delivery and increased risks to livelihoods and human health.

Why it needs special attention?

Farming at the household level is largely a women-led activity; therefore, livestock incomes and home-
farm management decisions are mainly made by women.

Livestock farming, particularly in the arid regions of the country is also becoming a key risk mitigation
strategy for the poorest. They face increasingly uncertain and erratic climatic conditions that negatively
affect crop productivity and wage labor in the agricultural sector.

Way forward

A national improvement policy is needed to improve the most successful indigenous breeds.
Buffalo farming should receive increased attention, while poultry farming should be conservation-oriented.
State governments should be encouraged to participate in the implementation of the national improvement policy. An analysis based on geographic information system should be used to map production systems.
Animal health care must become a priority, with greater investment in preventive health care.
Private investment should also be encouraged. The government needs to create better incentive structures for investment in livestock.
State governments should sponsor market studies and evaluations, while highlighting the investment potential.
The wealth of livestock is distributed much more equitably than the wealth associated with the land. Therefore, when we think of the goal of inclusive growth, we must not forget that from the point of view of equity and livelihoods, livestock should be at the center of poverty reduction programs.

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