Benefits & Challenges of Livestock Rearing

Centre has withdrawn the draft livestock and livestock products (Importation & Exportation) Bill, 2023. This bill replaced the Live-Stock Importation Act of 1898 and the Livestock (Amendment) Act of 2001. This is prepared by: the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD).

Key Provisions of the proposed draft bills:-

• Earlier law regulates only imports of livestock but the later draft bill regulates livestock export as well. This also expands the definition of livestock which include exporting live animals.

• This also takes away some powers of state government emerging some form of clashes from the same as it highly violates wildlife protection. It opens a "Pandora's Box" of cruelties on animals especially when it comes to exporting live animals.

Livestock Rearing:

Livestock plays an important role in the Indian economy. It also employs about 8.8% of the population of the country.

• The livestock sector contributes around 4.11% of the GDP and around 25.6% of the total Agriculture GDP.

• World's highest livestock owner at about 535.78 million

• Contribution of livestock in total agriculture and allied sector- 29.35% (2019-20).

Role of Livestock in Farmer's Economy:-

1. Food Security- Livestock provides a kind of food security to fulfil our nutritional needs and act as an alternate source of income.

2. Income to farmers and landless labourers

3. Fibre & Skin- Used for cottage industries.

4. Emergency Response- As in any unfortunate case of crop failures or urgent financial aid required then farmers have livestock as an alternative option available.

5. Manure- This provides for sustainable farming

6. Draft- This includes ploughing fields and reducing manual work strain and even in transportation.

Some of the Challenges faced are as follows:-

1. Poor milk yield- Low genetic potential because of indigenous breeds.

2. Scarcity of grassland- As low availability of greenfield as fodder leads to less nutrition and low outcome in the cattle.

3. Lack of cold storage places- Shows a lack of infrastructure.

4. Lack of credit- Depicts less monetization in this field.

5. Ineffective veterinary and livestock services.

6. Limitations of Artificial Insemination

7. Diseases haunting cattle.

Major Government initiatives in this regard:-

1. National Livestock Mission- Launched in 2014 aims for holistic development of livestock by focusing on the improvement of productivity of livestock by providing quality fodder, breed improvement and disease control.

2. Rashtriya Gokul Mission- Conserve indigenous breeds which play a crucial role in the livelihood of farmers.

3. National Animal Disease Control Programme- Launched in 2019 aims to control foot and mouth disease (FMD) and brucellosis by 2030 by achieving a 100% vaccination target, for cattle.

4. E-Pashu Haat Portal- It is a portal between breeders and farmers by providing quality bovine germplasm.

5. Daily Entrepreneurship Development scheme- Worked under NABARD- National Bank for agricultural rural development provides financial support and assistance to farmers & entrepreneurs to establish Modern dairy farms and incentivise these dairy farms.

6. Animal Husbandry and Infrastructural Development Fund- Launched in 2020 under the Aatamanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan stimulus package. Which as the name suggests provides for funds.

7. National Livestock Insurance Scheme- This scheme provides Insurance coverage to livestock against accidents diseases or natural disasters, It helps the farmers to mitigate the farmer's risks.

8. Kamdhenu Yojana- Launched in the year 2019 aims to provide sustainable dairy farming by providing financial assistance to set up dairy units, breed improvement and milk production.

9. Fodder Development Programs- Further the government has launched many incentives to improve the dairy production industries.

Way Forward:-

1. Fodder Security- By improving forage varieties and fodder tanks.

2. Genetic surveillance

3. Unified Livestock Market to Strengthen Industry. Farmer linkages Eg. Amul.

4. Indigenous breed gene banks

5. Veterinary Ambulance service and vaccination

6. One health approach

7. Capacity building and skill development.

The ultimate aim is to provide sustainable dairy farming and ensure substitute livelihood for farmers and entrepreneurs through this industry.