The release of the ‘Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics 2024’ marks moment in India’s livestock and dairy sector. This annual publication provides essential vital information about trends affecting milk, egg, meat, and wool production. The statistics are based on an Integrated Sample Survey conducted from March 2023 to February 2024. This document serves as a critical resource for policymakers and stakeholders in the animal husbandry domain.
Milk Production
The total milk production for 2023-24 is estimated at 239.30 million tonnes. This reflects a 5.62% growth over the past decade. Uttar Pradesh leads milk production, contributing 16.21% of the total. Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra follow. West Bengal recorded the highest annual growth rate of 9.76% among states.
Egg Production Overview
Egg production is estimated at 142.77 billion units for 2023-24, showing a 6.8% increase over ten years. The growth rate over the previous year is 3.18%. Andhra Pradesh is the top producer, accounting for 17.85% of total egg production. Ladakh experienced the most important growth rate at 75.88%.
Meat Production Data
Meat production is projected at 10.25 million tonnes for 2023-24, reflecting a 4.85% increase over the past decade. The annual growth over the previous year is 4.95%. West Bengal leads meat production with a 12.62% share, followed closely by Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. Assam recorded the highest annual growth rate at 17.93%.
Wool Production Statistics
Wool production is estimated at 33.69 million kg for 2023-24, with a slight growth of 0.22% from the previous year. Rajasthan dominates wool production, contributing 47.53%. The highest annual growth rate in wool production is recorded in Punjab at 22.04%.
Infrastructure and Veterinary Services
The publication also details the number of veterinary hospitals, polyclinics, and other essential infrastructure. It includes data on artificial inseminations performed and the overall state of animal husbandry facilities. This information is vital for improving livestock health and productivity.
Global Perspective on Livestock Sector
The statistics offer a comparative view of India’s livestock sector on a global scale. About these trends is crucial for addressing food security and enhancing the economic viability of the livestock industry.
Questions for UPSC:
- Critically analyse the factors contributing to the growth of milk production in India over the last decade.
- What are the important challenges faced by the poultry industry in India? Discuss with suitable examples.
- Explain the role of veterinary services in improving livestock productivity and health.
- Comment on the impact of climate change on wool production in India and suggest mitigation strategies.
Answer Hints:
1. Critically analyse the factors contributing to the growth of milk production in India over the last decade.
- Increase in dairy farming efficiency through better breeding practices and nutrition.
- Government initiatives and subsidies supporting dairy farmers and cooperatives.
- Rising domestic demand for milk and milk products due to population growth.
- Expansion of infrastructure such as milk processing units and cold storage facilities.
- Adoption of technology in dairy farming, such as artificial insemination and health monitoring.
2. What are the important challenges faced by the poultry industry in India? Discuss with suitable examples.
- Biosecurity issues leading to outbreaks of diseases like avian influenza affecting production.
- Fluctuating feed prices impacting profit margins for poultry farmers.
- Regulatory challenges and compliance with food safety standards.
- Market access issues for small-scale poultry farmers due to competition with large firms.
- Consumer perception and demand fluctuations influenced by health concerns.
3. Explain the role of veterinary services in improving livestock productivity and health.
- Provision of vaccinations and disease management to prevent outbreaks.
- Advisory services on nutrition and breeding to enhance productivity.
- Emergency care and treatment of sick animals to reduce mortality rates.
- Training programs for farmers on best practices in animal husbandry.
- Data collection and analysis for monitoring livestock health trends and needs.
4. Comment on the impact of climate change on wool production in India and suggest mitigation strategies.
- Climate change leads to altered grazing patterns and feed availability for sheep.
- Increased temperatures can affect sheep health and wool quality.
- Extreme weather events can disrupt wool production cycles.
- Mitigation strategies include improving water management and breeding for climate resilience.
- Investment in sustainable farming practices to enhance soil and pasture health.
