The Animal Husbandry and Dairying Sector has come to play an increasingly significant role in the development of the country. It contributes about 26% of the total output from the agriculture sector.

    India is endowed with livestock resources of considerable genetic diversity with its large livestock population which is about 11% of the world"s livestock population. It accounts for 55% of the world"s buffalo population, 20% of the goat population and 16% of the cattle population. It ranks first in the world in respect of cattle and buffalo population. The total livestock population of the country, as per the latest livestock census 1992, has increased more than 470 million from 273 million in 1951 showing an increase of 60.4%. Similarly, there has been a growth of 31.7% in the cattle population and 92.2% in buffalo population during the period 1951 to 1992. During the same period the population of sheep increased by 30% whereas those of goat and pigs increased by about 145% and 190% respectively. Number of poultry birds has recorded a four fold increase from 1951 population.
 

Livestock Sector

    The livestock sector has a significant potential for employment generation particularly in rural areas. This provides subsidiary occupation to a large section of the society particularly to the people living in the draught prone, hilly, tribal and other remote areas where crop production on its own may not be capable of engaging them fully. According to 50th National Sample Survey (NSS), the employment in the Animal Husbandry sector was 9.8 million (Provisional) in the principal status and another 8.6 million (Provisional) in the subsidiary status.
 

Dairy Sector

    The livestock sector has progressed steadily since the early seventies. The milk production which was almost stagnant between 1947 and 1970 with an annual growth rate of merely one per cent, has registered a significant growth rate of 4.5% during the 7th Plan period. This has further increased to about 5.5% during the decade 1980-81 to 1990-91. The production of milk which was 17 million tonnes in 1950-51 increased to 53.9 million tonnes in 1990-91 and about 68.5 million tonnes in 1996-97. It is expected to reach about 70.5 million tonnes during 1997-98. The per capita availability of milk has also increased from 124 gms per day in 1950-51 to 201 gms per day in 1996-97. It is expected to increase about 204 gms per day during 1997-98.

    This enhanced growth in the milk production is due to various cattle development programmes taken under the Central and State Sectors and Operation Flood Programme. India has now become the second largest milk producing country in world after USA and is expected to be number one by the end of this century.
 

Poultry Sector

    The poultry development in the country has shown a significant progress over the years due to the research and development thrust of the Government and the organized private sector. The annual egg production which was nearly two billion during 1950-51 to 1955-56 increased to about 28 billion in 1996- 97. The per capita availability of eggs has also increased to 30 egg per annum in 1996-97s as compared to merely five eggs per annum during 1950-51.

    Sheep and goats are two important livestock species which make substantial contribution to rural economy of the country. The wool production which was stagnant at 27.5 million kgs during fifties has increased to about 43.5 million kgs during 1996-97. It is expected to reach the level of over 44 million kg during 1997-98.
 

Meat Sector

    The meat products industry in India is largely in the un-organised sector. With rapid urbanisation, higher income levels and changes in lifestyle, market for scientifically produced and hygienically packed meat and meat products is expanding rapidly. In order to exploit the full potential of the meat products industry, facilities for slaughter houses, meat processing and packing units, storage facilities are being provided in addition to modern technologies and appropriate investments. This has resulted in increasing the demand for domestic and export market, particularly to the Gulf and West Asia and neighbouring countries. As per FAO estimates, the production of indigenous meat in India has increased to about 3.6 million in 1996-97 from 0.66 million tonnes in 1980-81. IndiaÕs share of worldÕs buffalo meat is about 47% and that of goat meat is about 16%.

    The total export earning from livestock sector and livestock related products rose from Rs 5,950 million in 1991 to Rs 19,250 million in 1996-97 including Rs 10,690 million(55.5%) from leather and leather products and Rs 6,930 million (36%) from meat and edible meat offal. Initiatives.

    Government policies and strategies for development of livestock are mainly focused on upgradation of genetic stocks, improved feed, fodder and nutrition management. Besides these, provision to improve health services, building of market infrastructure for livestock products to ensure that the primary producer get a remunerative prices and that further prices are reasonable for the consumers are also ensured by Government policies. These objectives are met to some extent by implementing various Central sector and Centrally sponsored schemes of the Central Government. The contribution of NGOs' and private sector in the development of livestock sector is also significant. However, much more remains to be done if our untapped potential is to be fully exploited.