Livestock resources UPSC | Agriculture | Geography of India

Table of Contents:

• What is livestock
• Livestock as resources can solve many problems
• Livestock resources of India; 2019;2012 data
• Cattle farming

Livestock is domesticated animals raised along with the crops. Livestock is an integrated part of agriculture. Livestock and crops are mutually interrelated for sustainability. Livestock is resources as it the following utilities:

• Provides productive sustainable livelihood options and income sources for farmers.
• Livestock increases the stability of farmer income, food security, transport, fuel, and nutrition.
• Agriculture activities mostly are done in the Kharif season; unemployment in Rabi and Zaid season increases; livestock provides is key opportunities for employment. As per 2012 data, livestock provides 70 million employees of small and marginal farmers.

Livestock resource of India:

As per livestock census conducted by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying 2019 report;

• India has a total of 535.78 million livestock population, the world's highest.
• Bovine Population is 302.79 million that includes cattle, buffalo, Mithun, and Yak.
• Foreign milch cow grow 32 %
• No growth in desi milk produces.

As per 2012 data, livestock resources in India;

• Poultry: 58 %
• Cattle and Buffalow: 24 %. India had 300 million cattle including 108 million buffalo.
• Sheep and Goats; 16 %
• Pigs: 1 %
• Others animal such as Camel, Asses, Horse; 1 %

Cattle Farming;

There are two purposes for cattle farming;

• Milk Production; Milk producing females are called a milch animal or dairy animals
• Draught labor; Farm labor animal is called drought animal.

Indian cattle belong to two different species:

• Bos Indicus; Cow
• Bos Buffalo; Buffalo

Milk production generally dependant on the duration of the lactation period.

Foreign breeder such as Jersey and Brown Swiss has a long lactation period.
Local breeders such as Red Sindhi and Sahiwal; show excellent resistance to disease.

Crossbreeding of both provides good productivity.

What require in cattle farming:

• Proper cleaning and shelter facilitating 
• Regular health check-up for animal
• Require regular Brushing to remove dirt
• Proper ventilation needed to protect them from rain, heat, and cold.

For a detailed explanation, watch the below video:

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