Context & Importance
- India has initiated its 21st Livestock Census (Oct 2024 – July 2025).
- Encompasses 16 species and 219 breeds of livestock.
- Cost:₹419 crore; Involves 1 lakh enumerators & 17,000 supervisors.
- Crucial for policy-making in disease control, breed improvement, and rural livelihoods.
Relevance : GS 3 ( Economy, Agriculture, and Rural Development )
Key Findings from Past Census (20th Census Trends)
- Declining populations:
- Camels (-37.1%), pigs (-12.03%), horses/ponies (-45.2%), donkeys (-61.2%), mules (-57.1%).
- Rising poultry sector: Increased by 16.08%.
Enumeration Process
- Data recorded via 21st Livestock Census app.
- Information collected:
- Household details, breed, age, milch/non-milch status, tagging of animals.
- Metal tags used for identification.
- Stray animals: Recorded separately by verifying ownership with locals.
Challenges Faced by Farmers
- Lumpy Skin Disease (2022) caused cattle deaths.
- High cost of livestock: A buffalo costs ₹1.5 lakh, subsidy limited to₹70,000.
- Lack of infrastructure: Villages lack milk collection centers or dairies.
- Expensive medicines & fodder: Grassland erosion forces farmers to buy fodder.
Women in Livestock Farming
- First-time enumeration of women livestock farmers.
- Over 70% of animal rearers are women.
- Case Studies:
- Poonam & Neelam Chaudhary: Dairy farming since 2015, managing 12 buffaloes.
- Milan Sharma: From German project manager to cattle farmer; built a self-sustained dairy.
Emerging Trends & Policy Implications
- Impact of Cow Protection Laws: Haryana’s cattle population has increased due to slaughter bans.
- Pet ownership rise: Increase in exotic dog breeds in Haryana homes.
- Need for Policy Reforms:
- Increased subsidies for cattle.
- Expansion of healthcare & medicine support.
- Grazing land restoration to reduce fodder dependency.
- More milk collection centers in rural areas.
Way Forward
- Census data will guide sustainable livestock policies.
- Digitized livestock records can streamline animal healthcare.
- Enhanced financial support for small dairy farmers and women entrepreneurs.
- Strengthening disease control mechanisms to prevent outbreaks like Lumpy Skin Disease.
