Livestock Farming in India

Livestock production refers to the breeding, raising, and managing of animals for various purposes such as food, fiber, and by-products.

Cattle farming includes both beef and dairy production. Beef farming raises cattle for meat, while dairy farming produces milk and dairy products.

Poultry farming involves raising chickens, turkeys, ducks, and other birds for meat and eggs.

Sheep farming focuses on meat (lamb, mutton) and wool production. Goats are raised for meat, milk, and fiber like cashmere.

Swine farming involves raising pigs for meat production (pork).

Specialty livestock includes animals raised for niche markets, such as alpacas for fiber or bison for meat.

Sustainable livestock farming focuses on minimizing environmental impact, improving animal welfare, and increasing efficiency through modern technologies.

The livestock sector has seen significant growth in recent years. Between 2014-15 and 2022-23, the livestock sector grew at a CAGR of 7.38%, contributing 30.38% of the GVA from agriculture and allied sectors in 2022-23.

The Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) is a government initiative designed to support improvements in infrastructure related to the livestock sector, specifically focusing on dairy, meat processing, and fisheries.

The AHIDF's primary roles are to enhance the infrastructure in dairy, meat processing, and fisheries, leading to better production, processing, and overall efficiency within these sectors.

India's trade in livestock products plays a significant role in both domestic and global markets, due to its substantial exports and imports of livestock products.

India is a leading exporter of several livestock products, particularly dairy, meat, and poultry. This role makes it a major player in the global agricultural trade.

Buffalo meat is a primary export commodity for India, contributing significantly to agricultural export revenue. Growing demand in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Africa has fueled its robust growth.

India, as the world's largest milk producer, exports a range of dairy products like milk powder, ghee, and cheese. The growing demand for processed dairy products is driving an increase in exports, mainly to the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

India is a key exporter of eggs and poultry, particularly to the Middle East and Southeast Asian markets. The country's diverse poultry farming sector is driving growth in these exports.

India imports various livestock products, notably dairy products like cheese and butter from countries like New Zealand and Australia. This is mainly due to the increasing demand for processed dairy products and those not locally produced in large quantities.

India's trade in livestock products is regulated by policies designed to protect domestic producers while encouraging exports, aiming to balance self-sufficiency with international competitiveness.

Outbreaks of diseases like Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Avian Influenza can disrupt livestock exports and trade relations with other countries, impacting both economic and health concerns.

Challenges such as limited cold storage and processing facilities, along with insufficient transportation infrastructure, can hinder the efficient export of livestock products.

Animal husbandry provides farmers with a steady income throughout the year, offering a critical source of economic stability, especially in rural areas.

In India, many people rely on agriculture for their livelihood, but it is seasonal. Livestock farming offers a valuable supplemental income source during the off-season, providing essential stability to rural families.

Livestock farming provides a significant source of self-employment for unemployed youth and aspiring entrepreneurs, fostering economic independence and rural development.

The animal husbandry sector is a significant contributor to employment in India, providing jobs and supporting livelihoods for a large percentage of the population.

Milch animals, like cows and buffaloes, provide a consistent source of revenue through the sale of milk and dairy products, making animal husbandry a crucial part of rural livelihoods.

The livestock sector's contribution to India's overall economic output, calculated as the value of goods and services produced.

The percentage of India's workforce employed in animal husbandry and fisheries.

Livestock provides essential nutrients like protein, milk, and eggs, contributing to a healthy diet for the population.

Smaller animals like poultry and goats require less land and investment, making livestock rearing accessible to women and small farmers.

Livestock manure can be used as a natural fertilizer, promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Dung can also be converted into clean energy through biogas production.

The challenge of increasing the output of farm animals, which affects the overall efficiency of the livestock sector.

Outbreaks of diseases like Foot and Mouth Disease and Black Quarter can reduce livestock health and productivity.

The use of technology and better practices to control and treat livestock diseases.

Infertile or low-quality semen is a major issue in improving livestock breeds through artificial insemination. This limits the effectiveness of the process and hinders progress in breed improvement.

The lack of properly trained personnel and sufficient infrastructure hampers the widespread adoption of artificial insemination, particularly in rural areas.

Despite improvements, achieving successful conception after artificial insemination remains a challenge. Several factors contribute to this, such as the quality of semen, the timing of insemination, and the overall health of the animals.

Limited access to proper markets for livestock products discourages farmers from adopting better practices and technologies. This can result in lower incomes and reduced motivation for improvement.

A significant portion of milk in India is sold through unorganized channels, leading to lower returns for farmers and less efficient operations compared to organized markets.

Markets for meat, poultry, and other livestock products are underdeveloped and lack transparency, often controlled by middlemen. This can exploit farmers and limit their opportunities.

India needs to promote native cattle breeds that can thrive in hot and challenging environments. These breeds can improve milk and meat production while adapting to local conditions.

While meat and poultry products make up a large portion of India's livestock export earnings, markets remain unstable and uncertain.

This fund provides financial incentives to invest in crucial infrastructure for the livestock industry, including dairy processing, meat processing, animal feed production, and animal breeding facilities.

This mission aims to support small-scale livestock farmers by offering subsidies for setting up poultry farms, sheep and goat breeding units, piggeries, and feed and fodder facilities. It encourages entrepreneurship and boosts livestock production.

This program focuses on preventing and controlling animal diseases through vaccination campaigns. It also uses ear-tags to identify animals and track vaccination coverage, improving herd health.

This provides dairy farmers associated with cooperatives and milk producer companies with access to credit for farm improvements and working capital needs.

The livestock sector has shown significant growth in India, now contributing almost 25% of the gross value of agricultural output.

Though there has been a decline in rural workers involved in livestock production, women have taken on a larger role, making up over 70% of the workforce in this sector.

Livestock assets are more equally distributed among rural households compared to land, providing a safety net for vulnerable communities.

Research shows a direct link between growth in livestock production and reduced poverty, making livestock an effective tool for rural development.