Animal Husbandry has been the spotlight in recent policy discussions and farm laws due to its potential for increasing productivity levels and bridging production gaps. Primarily concentrated in rural India, this sector holds significant socio-economic relevance.
About Animal Husbandry
Essentially, Animal Husbandry involves livestock raising and selective breeding, aiming to enhance the animals’ genetic qualities and behavior for profit. It supports nearly 55% of the rural population’s livelihood, with India being the world’s largest livestock owner. According to the Economic Survey-2021, livestock contributes 24.32% (2014-15) to total agriculture and allied sector Gross Value Added, increasing to 28.63% (2018-19). As per the 20th Livestock Census, the country’s total livestock population is 535.78 million, a 4.6% increase over the Livestock Census-2012.
Potential of Animal Rearing
Animal rearing has multifaceted potential. For example, Operation Flood, initiated in 1970, boosted dairy farmers’ development, grew milk production, raised rural incomes, and ensured reasonable prices for consumers.
Importance of Animal Husbandry
The sector significantly empowers women by increasing their income and societal role. It serves as a significant risk mitigation strategy for small and marginal farmers, especially in India’s rain-fed regions. It plays a central role in poverty alleviation programs from equity and livelihood perspectives. The Inter-Ministerial Committee under the government’s target recognizes livestock productivity as one of seven income growth sources, aiming to double farmers’ income by 2022.
Challenges faced by the Sector
However, challenges like the non-availability of superior quality breeding bulls, poor semen quality, shortage of fodder resources, lack of animal disease control, absence of field-oriented conservation strategies for indigenous breeds, lack of skills and quality services to farmers and inadequate infrastructure pose significant threats to the sector.
Government Initiatives to Enhance Animal Husbandry
Recognizing these challenges, the government has launched initiatives such as the Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) in June 2020 with a Rs.15,000 crore outlay. The AHIDF aims to support private investment in Dairy Processing, value addition and cattle feed infrastructure. It also encourages the establishment of export-oriented niche product plants and varying capacity animal feed plants, including mineral mixture plants, silage making units, and animal feed testing laboratories.
National Animal Disease Control Programme
This program aims to ensure 100% vaccination of cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat, and pig populations against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Brucellosis, with a total outlay of Rs.13,343 crore.
Rashtriya Gokul Mission and National Livestock Mission
These missions aim to develop and conserve indigenous breeds of the bovine population, enhance milk production, make farming more lucrative to farmers, and ensure quantitative and qualitative improvement in livestock production systems and stakeholders’ capacity building.
National Artificial Insemination Programme
This program proposes innovative impregnation methods for female breeds, preventing the spread of genital diseases and enhancing breed efficiency.
Future Prospects
Timely investments can alleviate pressure across the farm sector, bringing immense benefits for the entire economy, even as the country recovers from a pandemic-induced economic slowdown. Macro benefits regarding climate change and employment are linked to this sector, and improved infrastructure can enhance processing units’ energy efficiency, helping to mitigate their carbon footprint.