Daily News Analysis

Livestock Sector in India

stylish_lining

Why in the News?

The Cabinet recently approved the Sustainable Livestock Health and Production Scheme with a total outlay of ₹1,702 crore. This initiative aims to increase farmers' income from livestock and dairy production.

Key Components of the Scheme:

  • Animal Health Management: Enhancing veterinary education and infrastructure.
  • Dairy Production and Technology Development: Fostering innovation and efficiency in dairy practices.
  • Animal Genetic Resource Management: Improving livestock quality and productivity.
  • Animal Nutrition: Focusing on the health and productivity of small ruminants.

Status of the Livestock Sector in India

  • Largest Population: India has the world's largest population of livestock.
  • Meat Production: It is the largest producer of buffalo meat and the second-largest producer of goat meat.

Significance of the Livestock Sector

  • Contribution to GDP:
  • The livestock sector contributed 30.19% of the Agricultural and Allied Sector GVA and 5.73% of Total GVA in 2021-22.
  • Employment Generation:
  • Livestock rearing provides a livelihood for over 70% of rural households, primarily benefiting small and marginal farmers and landless laborers.
  • Interlinkages with Agriculture:
  • The sector is essential for producing organic inputs like manure, and agricultural waste is often used as fodder.
  • Food and Nutritional Security:
  • Livestock products (milk, meat, eggs) are vital for nutrition, particularly for children and women. India ranks first in global milk production, contributing 23% of total production.

Issues Faced by the Livestock Sector

  • Health and Veterinary Issues:
  • Economic Losses: High losses from diseases like Haemorrhagic Septicaemia and Foot and Mouth Disease.
  • Inadequate Infrastructure: Limited veterinary colleges lead to a shortage of veterinarians.
  • Antimicrobial Resistance: High antibiotic use, especially in the poultry sector.
  • Economic Issues:
  • Low Productivity: Average productivity of cattle is below the global average.
  • Unorganized Sector: A significant portion of meat production is unregistered.
  • High Marketing Costs: Marketing and transaction costs account for 15-20% of sale prices.
  • Low Insurance Coverage: Only 15.47% of livestock is insured.
  • Fodder Shortages: Insufficient land is allocated for fodder production.
  • Inadequate Extension Services:
  • Lack of dedicated livestock extension programs, focusing mainly on animal health.
  • Greenhouse Gas Emissions:
  • Livestock contributes significantly to global enteric methane emissions.

Initiatives for India’s Livestock Sector

  • Rashtriya Gokul Mission: Promotes the development and conservation of indigenous breeds.
  • National Livestock Mission: Aims for qualitative and quantitative improvements in livestock production.
  • Kisan Credit Card (KCC): Extension to livestock farmers to facilitate credit access.
  • Dairy Development Programs: Initiatives like the National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD) enhance the dairy sector.
  • Disease Control Programs: Includes the National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP) for FMD and Brucellosis.

 

 

Way Forward

  • Strengthening NADRS: Improve infrastructure and digitalize the National Animal Disease Reporting System for real-time reporting.
  • Mobile Veterinary Services: Provide essential veterinary services to remote areas.
  • Integrated Farming Systems (IFS): Promote livestock-based IFS to optimize resource use and productivity.
  • Market Access: Establish efficient value chains and digital platforms for livestock marketing.
  • Increase Insurance Coverage: Enhance livestock insurance to reduce risk for owners.
  • Area-Specific Policies: Formulate policies tailored to the needs of specific regions, particularly rain-fed areas.

The sustainable development of the livestock sector is vital for enhancing farmers' incomes, ensuring food security, and promoting rural livelihoods in India.

India-UK Vision 2035

The Indian Prime Minister's visit to London was indeed a significant diplomatic milestone, as it unveiled the India–UK Vision 2035 roadmap and formalized the Comprehensive Economic and T
Share It

Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989

The Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 is a critical piece of legislation designed to protect the rights and dignity of Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled
Share It

Financial Inclusion Index

The Financial Inclusion Index (FI-Index), as reported by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), is a key metric that measures the level of financial inclusion across the country. Overview of the Fin
Share It

International Seabed Authority

The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is currently in the midst of negotiations regarding the extraction of metals from the high seas, particularly as U.S. efforts to fast-track this practice h
Share It

Election of Vice-President of India

Article 64 of the Constitution of India specifies that the Vice-President's post cannot remain vacant for any period of time, as it is essential for the functioning of the Rajya Sabha (Council
Share It

Maharashtra Scraps Hindi as Compulsory Third Language

The Maharashtra government recently scrapped its Government Resolutions (GRs) that mandated Hindi as a compulsory third language from Grades 1 to 5 in Marathi and English medium schools. While the
Share It

River Pollution in India

The Delhi government's focus on cleaning up the Yamuna River is part of a larger national effort to rejuvenate the Ganga River and its tributaries, in alignment with the Namami Gange Programme
Share It

Infrastructure Failures

The recent collapse of the Mahisagar River Bridge in Vadodara, which tragically claimed the lives of 20 people, underscores the growing concern over India's infrastructure quality. Similar
Share It

Special Intensive Revision (SIR)

The Supreme Court (SC) is currently reviewing the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) process for the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, suggesting that Aadhaar,
Share It

GM Crop

In ongoing trade talks, the United States is advocating for India to open its agriculture market to genetically modified (GM) crops. However, India has firmly rejected this proposal, citing concer
Share It

Newsletter Subscription


ACQ IAS
ACQ IAS