The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying recently announced the results of the 20th Livestock Census. Providing a comprehensive roundup of the livestock population in India, this report offers an analysis and comparison with the previous census.
Key Highlights
The census reports a total of 535.78 million livestock across the country, marking a 4.6% increase from the 2012 Livestock Census. West Bengal leads the country with a 23% increase, closely followed by Telangana at 22%.
Rise and Fall in Cattle Population
The total cattle population has shown a marginal increase of 0.8%. This rise is largely attributed to an increase in cross-bred cattle and higher numbers of indigenous female cattle. Despite efforts to increase the cattle population, Uttar Pradesh has noticed a significant decrease. On the contrary, West Bengal noted a 15% rise in the cattle population.
The Shift towards Exotic/Crossbred Cattle
The exotic/crossbred cattle population, which includes breeds such as Jersey and Holsteins, has grown by 27%. These breeds contribute around 28% to India’s total milk production in 2018-19. Farmers generally prefer these high-yielding varieties. The figures clearly demonstrate a preference for milk-producing cattle among dairy farmers, with nearly 75% of total cattle in the country being cows.
Decline in Indigenous Cattle Population
India’s indigenous cattle numbers are on the decline, showing a 6% decrease despite governmental efforts for conservation through initiatives like the Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM). The most significant decline has been noticed in states with strict cow slaughter laws such as Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra.
| Population Trends (% change) | |
|---|---|
| Exotic/Crossbred Cattle Increase | 27% |
| Indigenous Cattle Decline | 6% |
| Total Milch Animals Increase | 6% |
| Backyard Poultry Increase | 46% |
| Total Bovine Increase | 1% |
Other Notable Developments
The total milch animal population has grown by 6%, with foreign breeds constituting more than half the population due to their higher yields. There was an increase of around 46% in backyard poultry, indicating signs of poverty alleviation. In contrast to these increases, populations of horses, ponies, pigs, camels, donkeys, mules, and yaks declined.
About the Livestock Census
The Livestock Census has been periodically conducted in India since 1919-20, once every five years. It encompasses all domesticated animals and their counts. The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying carries out the census in partnership with State Governments and UT Administrations. The latest 20th Livestock Census is the first to use household-level data through online transmission from the field, making it beneficial for policymakers, agriculturists, traders, entrepreneurs, the dairying industry, and the general public.