Performance of Livestock Sector in India (With Reference to Bovine Population)

Abstract

Most of the farmers in India depend on agriculture and allied activities. The dairying has been playing a major role by providing livelihoods to the rural people. The objectives of the study are: to know the growth in the bovine population in India, analyse the trends in milk production and per capita availability of milk and analyse the share of livestock production in GDP. The study reveals that the percentage share of cows declined and that of buffaloes significantly increased. It is due to high price for buffalo milk. It is observed that the percentage of CB cattle in total cattle increased and that of indigenous cattle population declined. The per capita availability of milk increased from 130 grams per day in 1950 to 299 grams in 2012. The share of livestock sector in agriculture GDP also increased from 13.88% in 1980-81 to 29.20% in 2012-13. Among the top ten countries in the world India is in 2nd position in cow milk production. It is also evident that among the top ten countries India is in 1st position in buffalo milk production. It is observed that the milk yield per head is low in India. Hence there is need to raise the milk yield in order to enhance the per capita availability of milk and to meet the increasing demand. Measures must also be taken to protect the cattle and to increase their number.