Why in news?

The Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, has launched the 21st Livestock Census in New Delhi.

What’s in today’s article?

• Livestock Census
• 21^st Livestock Census
• Findings from the 2019 Livestock Census

Livestock Census

• About
  • The livestock census is a comprehensive survey conducted to collect data on various livestock species, including cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats, pigs, and poultry.
  • The most recent census was conducted in 2019.
• Benefits of Livestock Census for India
  • Data Collection and Analysis: The census provides essential data on the number and types of livestock, their distribution, and trends over time. This data helps in formulating policies and programs for the livestock sector.
  • Planning and Policy Formulation: Accurate livestock data aids the government in developing policies related to livestock health, breeding, and management. This can lead to better resource allocation and targeted interventions.
  • Economic Growth: Livestock contributes significantly to the agricultural economy. The census helps identify opportunities for growth and investment in sectors like dairy, meat production, and poultry farming.
  • Resource Management: Understanding the livestock population helps in effective resource management, including feed and water resources, land use, and veterinary services.
  • Food Security: By assessing livestock numbers and health, the census can inform strategies to enhance food production, improve nutrition, and ensure food security for the population.
  • Employment Generation: The livestock sector provides employment opportunities to millions, especially in rural areas. The census helps track employment trends and develop skill development programs.
  • Sustainability and Environmental Management: Data from the census can guide sustainable practices in livestock management, helping to minimize environmental impact and promote animal welfare.
  • Market Development: The information gathered can assist in market analysis and development, leading to better pricing and market access for farmers.
  • Research and Development: The census supports research initiatives in animal genetics, health, and nutrition, fostering innovation in the livestock sector.
  • Integration with Other Sectors: Livestock plays a crucial role in the broader agricultural ecosystem. The census helps integrate livestock management with crop production, enhancing overall agricultural productivity.

21^st Livestock census

• Overview of the Livestock Census
  • Conducted every five years, India’s livestock census counts all domesticated animals, poultry, and stray animals.
  • It collects details on species, breed, age, sex, and ownership.
  • Starting in 1919, 20 censuses have been completed, with the 21st census scheduled for October 2024 to February 2025, covering 30 crore households with help from around 87,000 enumerators.
• Animals Included in the 21st Census
  • The 21st census will document sixteen species, including cattle, buffalo, yak, sheep, goats, pigs, and others, along with 219 indigenous breeds recognized by ICAR-NBAGR.
  • Poultry birds, such as chicken, duck, turkey, and emu, will also be counted.
• Objectives of the Livestock Census
  • The census supports employment and economic growth in rural areas, as the livestock sector contributes to 4.7% of the nation’s Gross Value Added (GVA) and 30% of the agriculture sector’s GVA.
  • Data collected helps in policy development, estimating GVA, and monitoring Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
    • The Livestock Census will provide data pertaining to Goal 2 (Zero Hunger), and Target 2.5 (to maintain genetic diversity in food and nutrition), specifically Indicator 2.5.2 (The percentage of local livestock breeds that are at risk of extinction) of the SDGs.
• Digitization and New Data Points in the 21st Census
  • Following the 2019 digitized census, the 21st census will also use mobile apps for data collection, monitoring, and reporting, along with tracking collection locations via GPS.
  • The 21st census will capture several new data points. These include:
    • Data on pastoral animals, pastoralists: The census will, for the first time, collect data on the contribution of pastoralists to the livestock sector, their socio-economic status, and livestock holding.
    • More details, granular information: The census will find out the proportion of households whose major income comes from the livestock sector. It will also contain data on the gender of stray cattle.

Findings from the 2019 Livestock Census

• The 2019 census recorded a livestock population of 535.78 million, with:
  • 192.9 million cattle
  • 148.88 million goats
  • 109. 85 million buffaloes
  • 74.26 million sheep
  • 9.06 million pigs
• All other animals together made up only 0.23% of India’s total livestock population.