Bring the Livestock Industry to Life

Context: India can harness the economic potential of the livestock sector by ensuring its sustainable growth and development at the domestic and global levels.

Significance of the Livestock Sector

• India has the largest livestock population and the dairy market in the world.

• The concept of Pashudhan i.e wealth from livestock has its origins in India.

• Contributes over 4% to India’s GDP.

• Means of livelihood: to landless, marginal farmers because of its labor-intensive nature.

• Acts as an insurance agent against crop failures.

Government Initiatives

• Separate Ministry of Animal Husbandry, Dairy, and Fisheries.
• Fiscal support as part of the Covid-19 economic stimulus package.
• Eradication of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD): to boost the dairy and buffalo meat export sector to realize true potential in value realization in export and domestic market and provide income support to the farmer.
• Salvaging of the Male Buffalo Calves project will benefit the marginal farmers. 

Way Forward

• An increase in export quota and Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) in livestock sector must not be at the cost of the domestic market.

• States with abundant raw material, skills, labor-intensive and ease of doing businesses can be the hub of the livestock sector (like UP).

Conclusion: Global and domestic growth of the Livestock sector relies on the quality, timeliness, and accountability of dairy products production and delivery system.