Animal Rearing in India

Published on 12 Mar 2025

Key Indicators and Potential of Animal Rearing in India:

• Economic Impact: The livestock sector contributes 4.35% to India's GDP and 29.35% of the total agriculture GDP. This highlights its importance as a key driver of economic growth.

• Employment: Livestock rearing provides employment to 8.8% of the Indian population, making it a major source of livelihood for millions of people.

• Rural Livelihoods: Two-thirds of the rural community depend on livestock for their livelihood, demonstrating its vital role in supporting rural development.

• Food Security: Livestock products, such as milk, meat, eggs, and poultry, contribute significantly to food security and nutrition.

• Global Market: India's rank in egg production is third, and it has the potential to expand its presence in the global market for poultry products.

• Indigenous Breeds: India's rich heritage of indigenous livestock breeds offers unique opportunities for genetic improvement and conservation.

Key Areas for Growth in Animal Rearing in India:

• Dairy Industry: India's 221.06 million tonnes of milk production annually make it the world's largest producer. Further growth can be achieved through improved breeding practices, better infrastructure, and value addition to dairy products.

• Meat Production: India ranks 8th in meat production. Expanding the sector requires investments in feed, infrastructure, and disease control.

• Poultry Industry: India's third-rank in egg production indicates its potential for growth. Expanding poultry farming, improving feed quality, and enhancing processing capabilities can further boost the sector.

• Livestock-Based Value Addition: Promoting value addition to livestock products, such as processed meats, dairy products, and leather goods, can increase their market value and create new employment opportunities.

• Export Markets: India can explore opportunities to export livestock products to international markets, especially for high-quality and specialty products.

Significance of Animal Rearing 

Animal rearing plays a vital role in India's economy, society, and culture. Its contributions are multifaceted, ranging from economic growth to social development and cultural significance.

• Economic Impact:

• GDP Contribution: The livestock sector has experienced robust growth, contributing 7.9% to India's GDP annually (2014-15 to 2020-21).

• Agricultural GVA: Its share in agricultural Gross Value Added (GVA) has increased from 24.3% in 2014-15 to 30.1% in 2020-21, underscoring its growing importance.

• Rural Livelihoods and Employment:

• Income Generation: Animal rearing provides a significant source of income for millions of rural households, particularly small and marginal farmers.

• Employment Opportunities: The sector employs 8.8% of the Indian population, offering valuable employment opportunities, especially in rural areas.

• Food and Nutritional Security:

• Diverse Food Sources: Livestock products, such as milk, meat, eggs, and fish, contribute to a diverse and nutritious diet for Indians.

• Global Hunger Index: The enhanced production of these products has helped improve India's rank in the Global Hunger Index.

• Socio-Economic Development:

• Women Empowerment: The livestock sector is a major avenue for women's employment, with women comprising 31% of dairy producer cooperative members.

• Rural Development: Animal rearing drives rural development by providing income, employment, and opportunities for value addition.

• Cultural Significance:

• Cultural Identity: Livestock often holds cultural significance, symbolizing wealth, status, and tradition.

• Cultural Practices: Animals are used in various cultural practices, such as cockfights, ram fights, and bullfights (jallikattu).

• Other Contributions:

• Fiber Production: Livestock provides essential fibres like wool, hair, hides, and pellets, which are used in various industries, including leather and textiles.

• Weed Control: Grazing livestock can help control weeds and brush, contributing to agricultural productivity.

Challenges faced by Animal Rearing 

• Low Productivity:  Indian cattle have an average annual productivity of 1777 kg per animal per year, compared to the global average of 2699 kg. This productivity gap limits the sector's potential.

• Disease Outbreaks:  The prevalence of contagious diseases, such as Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD), Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), and Black Quarter infection, has a detrimental impact on livestock health and productivity.

• Feed and Fodder Scarcity: India faces a significant deficit in feed and fodder, with estimates suggesting a shortfall of 12% in green fodder, 23% in dry fodder, and 30% in grains-based concentrated animal feeds.

• Inadequate Policy Support:  Agricultural subsidies are heavily skewed towards crop production, with the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying receiving only Rs 4,328 crore in the 2023-24 Union Budget, compared to over Rs 4 trillion allocated to food, fertilizer, and other agricultural subsidies.

• Lack of Marketing Support:  Animal products lack the price and marketing support enjoyed by crop-based commodities, such as Minimum Support Price (MSP) and official state procurement by the Food Corporation of India (FCI).

• Limited Institutional Finance: The share of livestock in total agricultural credit is only around 4%, indicating limited access to institutional finance for livestock farmers.

• Environmental Concerns: The animal rearing sector contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane, which has a high global warming potential.

• Technological Constraints: Fewer artificial inseminations, lower-quality germplasm, and insufficient technical staff have hindered the adoption of modern technologies in animal rearing.

Government initiatives to promote Animal Rearing

National Livestock Mission (NLM):

• Launched in 2014, this mission aims to promote sustainable development of the livestock sector.   

• It focuses on improving livestock productivity, enhancing the income of livestock farmers, and ensuring the overall growth and development of the livestock sector.   

• The NLM operates under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying.   

Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM):

• This mission aims to conserve and propagate indigenous cattle breeds.   

• It provides financial assistance to farmers for the purchase of high-quality indigenous cattle.

• RGM also supports the establishment of Gokul Gram (model villages) for the conservation and propagation of indigenous cattle breeds.   

Dairy Processing and Infrastructure Development Fund (DIDF):

• This fund provides financial assistance to entrepreneurs and cooperatives for the establishment of dairy processing plants and infrastructure.   

• It aims to improve the value addition of milk and dairy products.   

Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF):

• This fund provides financial assistance to entrepreneurs and cooperatives for the establishment of animal husbandry infrastructure, such as feed mills, veterinary hospitals, and breeding centres.   

National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP):

• This program aims to control and eradicate major livestock diseases, such as foot-and-mouth disease and brucellosis.   

• It provides vaccination and treatment facilities to livestock farmers.

Tags:
Economy

Keywords:
Allied sector of agriculture Animal rearing Livestock Diary production Poultry farming Milk production Allied sector

Syllabus:
General Studies Paper 3

Topics:
Agriculture and Food Security