Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Livestock Census
Why in the News?
The Centre has launched the 21st National Livestock Census (LC), the five-yearly exercise of counting the country’s livestock.
Innovations in the 21st Livestock Census:
About Livestock Census (LC)
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Significance of the Livestock Census:
- Policy Formulation: Helps the government develop policies for livestock sector growth, covering aspects like breed improvement, disease control, and feed management.
- Rural Economy Support: Provides insights into the role of livestock in enhancing rural incomes, nutrition, and employment.
- Livestock Development Programs: Data supports initiatives like the National Livestock Mission (NLM), which focuses on breed development, feed and fodder improvement, and innovation in livestock practices.
- Indigenous Breed Conservation: Tracks indigenous livestock breeds to support breed-specific conservation and sustainable practices.
Previous Census Observations in India:
[1] 20th Livestock Census (2019):
- Total Livestock Population: Recorded at 535.78 million, marking a 4.6% increase from the previous census in 2012.
- Bovine Population: Counted at 302.79 million (includes cattle, buffalo, mithun, and yak).
- Indigenous vs. Exotic Breeds:
- Indigenous cattle population declined by 6%, indicating a shift toward crossbred and exotic breeds.
- Exotic and crossbred cattle increased by 29.3%, driven by rising demand for high milk-yielding breeds.
- Buffalo Population: Increased by 1% to 109.85 million, contributing significantly to India’s milk production.
- Sheep and Goat Populations:
- Sheep population rose by 14.1%, reaching 74.26 million.
- Goat population grew by 10.1%, totaling 148.88 million.
- Poultry Population: Experienced a substantial growth of 16.8%, with a total of 851.81 million birds, reflecting the expansion of commercial poultry farming.
- Female Livestock Population: Increase in female cattle (18%) and female buffaloes (8%), underscoring the focus on dairy production.
[2] 19th Livestock Census (2012):
- Highlighted an increase in buffalo populations and decline in indigenous cattle.
- Marked significant growth in poultry numbers, reflecting changing agricultural and economic patterns.
PYQ:[2015] 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. [2012] Which of the following is the chief characteristic of ‘mixed farming’? |
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