Context

• Recently Deliberations on strategies for strengthening indigenous breed development and Genetic improvement in the Livestock Sector, in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

About the Workshop

• The workshop brought together experts from Central and State Governments, research organizations, private institutions, policymakers, and progressive farmers from across the country to deliberate on strategies for strengthening indigenous breed development and genetic improvement in the livestock sector.
• The workshop was attended by more than700 livestock farmers, veterinarians, senior officials from the Centre and States/UTs.
• The workshop was organized with an aim to ideate on the strategies and way ahead to improve the livestock sector in the country.

About Livestock Sector in India

• India has world's largest population of livestock. 
• India is largest producer of buffalo meat and 2nd largest producer of goat meat.

Significance of Livestock Sector in India

• Contribution to GDP: Contribution to total Livestock GVA (at constant prices) was 30.19% of Agricultural and Allied Sector GVA and 5.73% of Total GVA in 2021-22.
• Employment Generation: Livestock rearing is a major source of livelihood for over 70% of rural households in India, with a significant proportion being small and marginal farmers and landless laborers.
• Interlinkages with Agri-activities: Livestock sector is crucial for production of organic inputs like manure and agricultural waste is used as fodder for animals.
• Food and Nutritional Security: Livestock products such as milk, meat, and eggs are rich in essential nutrients, playing a crucial role in combating malnutrition, especially among children and women.
  • India is ranked 1st in milk production contributing 23% of global milk production.

Issues faced by Livestock Sector in India:

• Health and Veterinary Issues:
  • High economic losses due to animal diseases: E.g., Haemorrhagic Septicaemia, Foot and Mouth Disease, Brucellosis, etc.
    • Also, zoonotic diseases can be transmitted between animals and humans, as evidenced by recent outbreaks like COVID-19, Ebola, and avian influenza
  • Inadequate infrastructure and human resources: India has less than 60 recognized veterinary colleges in India, which are inadequate to turn out the required number of vets. 
  • Rise of Anti-Microbial Resistance: India ranks 4th in antibiotics use in animals, wherein the poultry sector is the largest reservoir of antibiotics. 
• Economic Issues:
  • Low Productivity: Due to inadequate nutrition, poor management practices, and low genetic potential of local breeds.
    • Average annual productivity of cattle in India is 1777 kg/animal/year as against the world average of 2699 kg/animal/year (2019-20).
  • Unorganized Sector: About half of total meat production comes from un-registered, make-shift slaughterhouses. 
  • High Marketing and transaction costs: of livestock products at around 15-20% of sale price.
  • Low insurance cover: Only 15.47% of animals are under insurance cover.
  • Shortage of fodder: India has only 5% of its cultivable land under fodder production while having 11% of livestock, creating a huge pressure on land, water and other resources. 
• Inadequate attention towards extension services: There is no exclusive livestock extension program, and most services are animal health-focused, not extension-focused. 
• Green House Gas emissions: Enteric methane emission from Indian livestock contributed 15.1%  total  global enteric  methane  emissions.

Initiatives taken by Government 

• Rashtriya Gokul Mission: Focuses on the development and conservation of indigenous breeds through selective breeding and genetic upgradation.
• National Livestock Mission: Aims to ensure quantitative and qualitative improvement in livestock production systems and capacity building of all stakeholders.
• Extension of Kisan Credit Card (KCC) to the sector and establishment of Animal Health Infrastructure Development Fund etc.
• Dairy Development Programs: Schemes like the National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD) and Dairy Entrepreneurship Development Scheme (DEDS) aim to modernize the dairy sector and promote entrepreneurship.
• Livestock Health and Disease Control Programs: Include the National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP) for FMD and Brucellosis, and the Livestock Health and Disease Control Scheme to strengthen disease surveillance and diagnostic services.

Way Forward

• National Animal  Disease Reporting  System  (NADRS) requires to be strengthened with infrastructural support and digitalization for real-time reporting of disease outbreaks.
• Mobile veterinary services for remote areas to provide first aid, artificial insemination, deworming,  and vaccination services at farmers' doorstep.
• Promote Livestock-based integrated farming system (IFS) to integrate crop cultivation, livestock rearing, and other agricultural activities to optimize resource use, enhance productivity, and ensure sustainability.
• Facilitating access to markets, establishing efficient value chains, and promoting digital platforms for marketing and information dissemination.
• Increase insurance Coverage in Livestock Sector to shift the livestock owners' risk to insurance companies.
• Formulating Area-specific policy. E.g. policy focus in rain-fed areas should be on livestock rearing or livestock-based integrated farming system.