The Indian Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying has played a pivotal role in uplifting the rural economy by boosting the agriculture sector’s diversification. The Union Minister of Animal Husbandry and Dairying recently highlighted the achievements and initiatives taken by the department in enhancing productivity in the past nine years.
Achievements in Animal Husbandry and Dairy Sector
India’s Livestock and Dairy sector has seen profound advancement throughout the years. The livestock sector, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.93% from 2014-15 to 2020-21, contributes significantly to the Indian economy. It’s noteworthy that livestock population in India includes 303.76 million bovines, 74.26 million sheep, 148.88 million goats, 9.06 million pigs, and 851.81 million poultry.
The Dairy sector holds the crown as the largest agricultural commodity in India. With a whopping 5% contribution to the national economy and employing over 8 crore farmers directly, India has secured the 1st position in global milk production, accounting for 23% of its total.
Furthermore, gains show in egg and meat production, ranking India 3rd in egg production and 8th in meat production at a global level. As per records, egg production grew from 78.48 billion in 2014-15 to 129.60 billion in 2021-22, while meat production recapitulates an increase from 6.69 million tonnes in 2014-15 to 9.29 million tonnes in 2021-22.
Key Initiatives to Enhance the Livestock Sector
India has launched numerous initiatives to further develop the livestock sector. One such initiative is Rashtriya Gokul Mission: Nationwide Artificial Insemination Programme that covers over 5.71 crore animals, benefiting 3.74 crore farmers. Additionally, the Promotion of IVF Technology serves to produce viable embryos and birth calves.
Other crucial initiatives include Sex Sorted Semen Production, DNA-based Genomic Selection, Animal Identification and Traceability, Progeny Testing and Pedigree Selection, National Digital Livestock Mission, Breed Multiplication Farms, Supporting Dairy Cooperatives and Farmer Producer Organizations, Dairy Processing & Infrastructure Development Fund (DIDF), National Livestock Mission, Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund, and Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme.
Lastly, the Kisan Credit Cards (KCC) initiative for Dairy Farmers comes as a relief by sanctioning more than 27.65 lakh fresh KCCs to AHD farmers in milk cooperatives and milk producer companies.
Challenges Faced in Animal Husbandry and Dairying Sector
Despite all the progress, several challenges hinder the growth of the animal husbandry and dairying sector in India. Issues include disease management, availability and quality of feed and fodder, lack of modern infrastructure and technology, shortage of skilled personnel and veterinary services, financial constraints, limited access to credit, and marketing and distribution challenges.
Way Forward
To surmount these challenges and continue the upwards trajectory in this sector, key steps need to be taken. Strengthening veterinary services and infrastructure, promoting vaccination programs, and enhancing disease surveillance systems for livestock are crucial. Efforts should also focus on promoting cultivation of high-quality fodder crops, adopting modern techniques like hydroponics and silage production, and establishing feed processing units for a consistent supply of quality feed. Upgrading livestock farms, dairy processing units, and veterinary clinics, coupled with investments in research and development and implementing supportive policies, will further propel the growth of the animal husbandry and dairying sector in India.
