Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, has made significant strides in improving the livestock sector in India. Union Minister Parshottam Rupala addressed the media today, highlighting the department’s achievements and initiatives over the past nine years.
In his address, Minister Rupala emphasised the importance of livestock and poultry in improving the socio-economic conditions of rural communities. Livestock activities provide livelihood opportunities and supplement incomes in rural areas, contributing to agricultural diversification and overall growth in rural incomes.
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying has implemented various programmes aimed at controlling and eradicating major livestock diseases, as well as developing infrastructure. These initiatives are crucial for increasing per-animal productivity, which in turn leads to higher production of milk, meat, and other livestock products for both domestic consumption and exports. The department has also collaborated with other ministries and stakeholders to support farmers in increasing their income through the livestock sector.
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India’s livestock sector has experienced significant growth, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.93 per cent from 2014-15 to 2020-21. The contribution of the livestock sector to the total agriculture and allied sector gross value added (GVA) has increased from 24.38 per cent in 2014-15 to 30.87 per cent in 2020-21. In 2020-21, the livestock sector contributed 6.2 per cent of the total GVA.
According to the 20th Livestock Census, India has a substantial livestock population, including 303.76 million bovines, 74.26 million sheep, 148.88 million goats, 9.06 million pigs, and 851.81 million poultry.
The dairy sector plays a vital role in the Indian economy, contributing 5 per cent to the national economy and employing over 8 crore farmers directly. India is the world’s largest milk producer, accounting for 23 per cent of global milk production. Over the past eight years, milk production has increased by 51.05 per cent, reaching 221.06 million tonnes in 2021-22. The per capita availability of milk in India is 444 grams per day, surpassing the global average of 394 grams per day.
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India also holds significant positions in egg and meat production globally. As per the Food and Agriculture Organization Corporate Statistical Database (FAOSTAT) production data for 2020, India ranks 3rd in egg production and 8th in meat production worldwide. Egg production in the country has grown from 78.48 billion in 2014-15 to 129.60 billion in 2021-22, showing a compound annual growth rate of 7.4 per cent. The per capita availability of eggs stands at 95 eggs per annum. Meat production has increased from 6.69 million tonnes in 2014-15 to 9.29 million tonnes in 2021-22.
Minister Rupala also highlighted key achievements and initiatives undertaken by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying under various schemes and programmes.
