- With digital livestock reforms and rising investments, animal rearing is becoming central to India’s rural economy and agricultural transformation.
Importance of Animal Rearing
- Income Support: Animal rearing supports over 20 million livelihoods. E.g., Amul strengthened rural dairy incomes nationwide.
- Nutrition Security: India produced 247.87 million tonnes of milk and 149.11 billion eggs, improving national nutritional intake.
- Employment Generation: Livestock contributes nearly 30% agricultural GVA, generating substantial rural employment, especially for women workers.
- Export Growth: Seafood exports reached ₹62,408 crore, making India the world’s second-largest fish producer globally.
- Farm Sustainability: Livestock provides manure, biogas, and draught power, supporting sustainable integrated farming systems across rural India.
Current Facts and Data
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Dairy Industry:
- Global Leadership: India retained its position as the world’s largest milk producer with 247.87 million tonnes output in 2024–25.
- Nutrition Security: Per capita milk availability increased to 485 gm/day, improving dietary access and nutrition.
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Poultry Industry:
- Egg Expansion: Egg production reached 149.11 billion in 2024–25, making India the world’s 2nd-largest producer.
- Meat Contribution: Poultry contributed nearly half of India’s total meat production.
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Meat Industry
- Production Growth: India’s meat production increased to 10.50 million tonnes in 2024–25.
- Poultry Dominance: Poultry emerged as the leading contributor to the meat economy.
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Wool Industry
- Dominance: Rajasthan contributed 47.85% of India’s total wool production in 2024–25.
- Sheep Economy: Rajasthan remains the backbone of India’s sheep-rearing sector.
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Fisheries Industry
- Output Surge: Fish production nearly doubled from 95.79 lakh tonnes (2013–14) to around 198 lakh tonnes (2024–25).
- Export Strength: Seafood exports touched a record ₹62,408 crore, boosting the Blue Economy.
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Drivers of Growth in the Animal Rearing
- Demand Surge: Urbanisation and rising incomes have pushed India’s milk production to 247.9 million tonnes (2024–25), the highest globally.
- Policy Push: Schemes like Rashtriya Gokul Mission and National Livestock Mission support genetic improvement and productivity enhancement in the livestock sector.
- Cooperative Strength: Dairy cooperatives like Amul handle over 10 million farmer members, ensuring market access and price stability.
- Tech Upgrade: Artificial insemination, AI-based vet services, and cold-chain expansion have boosted milk procurement efficiency and reduced post-harvest losses.
Government Initiatives for Animal-Rearing
- Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM): Conserves indigenous cattle breeds and improves milk productivity through scientific breeding programs.
- National Livestock Mission (NLM): Promotes entrepreneurship, fodder development, and breed improvement in poultry, sheep, goat, and piggery sectors.
- Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY): Enhances fisheries infrastructure, aquaculture productivity, exports, and India’s Blue Economy growth.
- National Artificial Insemination Programme (NAIP): Expands artificial insemination services for genetic improvement and higher livestock productivity.
- Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF): Supports private investment in dairy processing, meat processing, and animal feed infrastructure.
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Challenges in Animal-Rearing
- Low Productivity: India’s average cattle productivity is nearly 2079 kg/year, far below the global average of 2699 kg/year.
- Disease Outbreaks: Diseases like FMD and Lumpy Skin Disease caused major livestock losses across several Indian states recently.
- Fodder Scarcity: India faces deficits of 11-32% in green fodder, 23% in dry fodder, and 40% in concentrate feed nationally.
- Market Constraints: Livestock receives barely 4% of total agricultural credit despite contributing nearly 30% agricultural GVA.
- Environmental Stress: Livestock account for nearly 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, primarily methane from cattle and manure decomposition (IPCC).
Way Forward for Animal-Rearing
- Genetic Revolution: Expanding artificial insemination and indigenous breed conservation under Rashtriya Gokul Mission can further enhance India’s 247.87 million tonnes of milk production.
- Fodder Security: Promoting “Har Khet Fodder” through hydroponics and silage can bridge India’s 11-32% green fodder deficit sustainably.
- Disease Shield: Universal vaccination under NADCP against FMD and Brucellosis can create a resilient “Healthy Livestock Economy”.
- Market Modernisation: Strengthening dairy cooperatives like Amul and cold chains can expand exports and farmers’ profitability.
- Green Livestock: Gobar-Dhan, biogas plants, and climate-smart farming can reduce livestock-linked 14.5% global greenhouse gas emissions.
“Empowered Livestock, Empowered Villages”; sustainable animal rearing can drive ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, nutrition security, rural resilience, and inclusive growth.
Reference: News On Air
UPSC Mains PYQs – Theme – Animal-Rearing
- [UPSC 2015 12.5M] Livestock rearing has a big potential for providing non-farm employment and income in rural areas. Discuss suggesting suitable measures to promote this sector in India.
PMF IAS Pathfinder for Mains – Question 697
Q. Animal rearing has evolved from a supplementary occupation to a key pillar of rural livelihoods and nutritional security in India. Examine its economic significance and the challenges hindering sustainable growth. (250 Words) (15 Marks)
Approach
- Introduction: Write a brief introduction about animal rearing.
- Body: Write the economic significance of animal rearing, mentioning challenges hindering sustainable growth, and suggest a way forward.
- Conclusion: Emphasis on a climate-resilient and technology-driven approach, ensuring sustainable growth of livestock.
