Introduction
India has the largest livestock population in the world, with livestock playing a significant role in the agricultural economy and rural livelihoods. Livestock not only provides essential products like milk, meat, and wool but also supports farming by providing draught power and manure. Moreover, livestock is deeply embedded in India’s socio-cultural traditions. Understanding the diverse breeds, their distribution, and the importance of livestock in the national economy is essential for efficient planning and development. This article provides an exhaustive overview of the livestock sector in India, exploring the different species, their breeds, and their contribution to the Indian economy.
Livestock
Cattle
India has the largest number of cattle in the world, which can be categorized into three main groups:
- Milch Breeds: These cattle are primarily raised for milk production. Key breeds include:
- Gir: Native to Saurashtra and adjoining areas like Rajasthan.
- Sindhi: Mainly raised in Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra.
- Red Sindhi: Originated from Sindh in Pakistan.
- Sahiwal: Originating from the Montgomery district of Pakistan, it is widely raised in Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi.
- Tharparkar: Found in Gujarat and Rajasthan.
- Deoni: Common in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
- Draught Breeds: These breeds are known for their strength and are used mainly for agricultural work. Key draught breeds include:
- Nagori: Found in Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh.
- Bauchaur: Predominantly found in Bihar.
- Kenkatha: Common in Uttar Pradesh.
- Malvi: Found in Madhya Pradesh.
- Kherigarh: Native to the Kheri district of Uttar Pradesh.
- Hallikar or Amritmahal: Spread across Karnataka and other peninsular regions.
- Siri: Found in the hilly districts of Darjeeling and Sikkim.
- Dual-Purpose Breeds: These breeds are used for both milk and draught purposes, with cows being good milk yielders and bullocks used for work. Examples include:
- Tharparkar: Found in the Sindh province of Pakistan, Gujarat, and Rajasthan.
- Haryana Breed: Native to Haryana.
- Mewati: Originating from the Mathura district of Uttar Pradesh and Bharatpur & Alwar districts of Rajasthan.
- Kankrej: Indigenous to Gujarat Plains.
- Krishna Valley: Found in the Upper Krishna Valley of Maharashtra and Karnataka.
- Ongole: Native to the Nellore and Guntur districts of Andhra Pradesh.
- Exotic Breeds: Foreign breeds have been crossed with Indian cattle to create crossbreeds that are more productive. Examples include:
- Jersey
- Holstein-Friesian
- Swiss-Brown
- Gurnsey
- German Feleckvich
- Ayreshire
Buffaloes
India had 105.3 million buffaloes in 2007, accounting for half of the world’s buffalo population and 20% of the total livestock in India. They thrive best in warm and humid climates. Major states with high buffalo populations include Uttar Pradesh (UP), Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, Maharashtra, Bihar, Haryana, and Karnataka.
- Major Buffalo Breeds:
- Murrah
- Bhadawari
- Jaffarabadi
- Surti
- Mehsana
- Nagpuri
- Nili Ravi
Cattle & Buffalo Development Programmes
The government has launched various schemes to develop cattle and buffaloes, including:
- Key Village Blocks (KVBs)
- Intensive Cattle Development Projects (ICDPs)
- National Project for Cattle & Buffalo Breeding (NPCBB)
- Seven Central Cattle Breeding Farms located in Suratgarh, Dhamrod, Alamadhi, Chiplima & Suncheda, Andeshnagar, and Hessarghatta.
- Agro-climatic Zones for fodder production in places like Hisar, Kalyani, Gandhinagar, Alamadi, Hyderabad, Suratgarh, and Shehoma.
Centrally sponsored schemes like ‘Livestock Health and Disease Control’ have been launched to help state governments control diseases among animals. Major components include:
- Assistance to states for Control of Animal Diseases (ASCAD)
- National Project on Rinderpest Eradication (NPRE)
- Foot and Mouth Disease Control Programme (FMD-CP)
- National Animal Disease Reporting System (NADRS)
- National Control Programme on Peste des petits ruminants (NCPPPR)
- National Control Programme on Brucellosis (NCPB)
- Establishment and strengthening of Veterinary Hospitals and Dispensaries (ESVHD)
Sheep
India ranks 6th in the world in sheep population, with 71.6 million sheep in 2007. Sheep are mostly raised in dry, stony, or mountainous regions. About 5 million households are engaged in sheep rearing. Sheep provide wool, skin, and mutton, with sheep distribution across different regions like:
- Temperate Himalayan Region
- Dry North-Western Region
- Semi-arid Southern Region
- Humid Eastern Region
Goats
Known as the “poor man’s cow,” goats can be reared on meager grass. About 90% of the goats in India are indigenous or non-descript.
- Himalayan or Angora Goats: Produce Pashmina wool and are reared in Kashmir and Kulu Valley.
- Jamunapuri: Found between the Yamuna and Chambal rivers.
- Barbari: Raised in Western Uttar Pradesh and Haryana.
- Other Breeds: Beetal (Punjab), Marwari, Mehsana, Kathiawar, Zalwadi, and Deccani.
Foreign breeds like Alpine, Nubian, Saamen, Toggenberg, and Angora are also reared.
Horses & Ponies
With a population of 8.46 lakh in 2007, horses and ponies have lost importance due to modern transportation. A quarter of their population is found in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Bihar, and Jammu & Kashmir.
Donkeys & Mules
Donkeys and mules are used as beasts of burden, especially in areas where modern transport is unavailable. They are mostly found in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Gujarat, and Tamil Nadu. Mules are produced from crossbreeding mares and donkeys, with a significant concentration in Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.
Camels
Camels, known as the “ship of the desert,” are used for draught and transport purposes in arid lands. As of 2007, India had about 1.4 million camels, with two-thirds of them in Rajasthan and the rest in the arid and semi-arid regions of Punjab, Haryana, and Gujarat.
Significance
India leads the world in livestock population, with 125.5 crore animals, playing a crucial role in the rural economy and socio-cultural fabric. The 20th Livestock Census revealed a 4.6% increase in livestock population compared to 2012. The population of cattle, buffaloes, and milch animals has increased, while the population of pigs has declined. Poultry has seen a significant increase as well.
Livestock Products
Livestock provides essential products such as milk, wool, meat, and skin, contributing to rural livelihoods and the national economy.
- Milk Production: India is the largest milk producer, with milk primarily obtained from cows and buffaloes. About two-thirds of buffalo milk is produced in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Madhya Pradesh. Similarly, cow milk production is highest in Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Karnataka, Kerala, and Bihar.
Operation Flood
Operation Flood, often termed as the “White Revolution,” was launched in the 1970s, inspired by the success of the Green Revolution. It revolutionized India’s dairy industry, transforming it into the world’s largest milk producer. The program aimed to enhance milk production, improve farmers’ income, and provide nutritional security to millions. Operation Flood not only contributed to making India self-sufficient in milk production but also significantly uplifted the socio-economic status of small farmers and landless laborers. This article delves into the objectives, strategies, achievements, challenges, and prospects of Operation Flood, highlighting its impact on the dairy industry and rural livelihoods in India.
Why Was Operation Flood Launched?
Operation Flood was initiated with the following key goals:
- Inspired by the Green Revolution: Launched in the 1970s, it aimed to replicate the success of the Green Revolution in the dairy sector.
- Increase Milk Production: The primary objective was to enhance milk production by increasing productivity, thereby improving the protein intake in the diet and providing better income options for small and marginal farmers and landless laborers in dry regions.
- Augment Protein Intake: There was a focus on improving protein intake through various sources:
- Soybean provided total protein.
- Pulses were a source of plant protein.
- Sustenance in Dry Regions: Livestock in dry regions is the main source of sustenance for many families, so strengthening livestock was essential.
- Addressing Protein-Energy Malnutrition: High rates of protein-energy malnutrition in India, which cause stunting and wasting, made it essential to boost milk production as a rich protein source.
- Social Objective: A significant goal was to increase farmers’ income by ensuring that the benefits reached small farmers and marginalized communities.
Objectives
The key objectives of Operation Flood were:
- Increase in Milk Production: Enhance milk production by improving productivity through better breeds and milk processing methods.
- Improve Protein Intake: Help improve the protein intake in diets to combat malnutrition.
- Develop Agricultural Income Options: Provide income-generating opportunities for small and marginal farmers and landless laborers.
- Social Organization: Organize farmers under cooperatives to ensure fair participation and benefits.
Strategy
Operation Flood implemented several strategies to achieve its objectives:
- Technological Improvement: Improve milk productivity through technological advancements such as using hybrid varieties of cattle to augment production.
- Milk Processing Facilities: Establish chilling plants and cold storage to handle and preserve milk efficiently.
- Encouraging Small Farmers: Organize small farmers into cooperatives, which became the biggest outcome of the program, ensuring that even those with limited resources could benefit.
- Scaling Up Production: The idea was to benefit small farmers who did not have many income sources and scale up milk production and profitability.
Achievements of the White Revolution
Operation Flood brought about several significant achievements:
- India Became the Largest Producer of Milk: India emerged as the world’s largest milk producer, a remarkable achievement for a country that previously struggled with milk shortages.
- Increased Per Capita Availability of Milk: There was a significant increase in the per capita availability of milk in the country.
- Reduction in Milk Imports: A drastic reduction in the import of milk and milk products saved valuable foreign exchange.
- Benefit to Small and Marginal Farmers: The program benefited small and marginal farmers as well as landless laborers, enhancing their income levels.
- Expansion and Modernization of the Dairy Industry: There was an expansion and modernization of the dairy industry, leading to better infrastructure and facilities.
- Research Centers Established: Research centers and programs were set up in Gujarat at Anand, Mehsana, and Palampur, and regional centers in Siliguri, Jalandhar, and Erode.
- Centrally Sponsored Livestock Scheme: Launched in 2006-07 and implemented in all states to provide protection mechanisms for farmers and cattle rearers.
- Genetic Improvement of Milch Cattle: Cross-breeding led to significant genetic improvements in milch cattle, which became popular across India.
Problems Faced by Operation Flood
Despite its successes, Operation Flood encountered several challenges:
- Milk Collection from Remote Areas: Collecting milk from remote and inaccessible areas proved to be a logistical challenge.
- Unhygienic Conditions: Cattle were often kept under unhygienic conditions, leading to lower quality and quantity of milk.
- Inadequate Marketing Facilities: In many villages, milk was converted into ghee, which is less remunerative, indicating a need for improved marketing infrastructure.
- Inferior Quality of Indian Breeds: Many indigenous cattle breeds were of inferior quality, resulting in low milk production.
- Need for Improved Extension Services: There was a requirement to enhance extension service programs for better dissemination of knowledge and technology.
Prospects
The future prospects of Operation Flood are promising, given the following factors:
- Abundant Milch Cattle: India has a large number of milch cattle, and with rising demand for milk and milk products, there is immense potential for growth.
- International Market Opportunities: With liberalization and global trade, India has the potential to capture the international market by increasing the quantity and improving the quality of milk products.
- Technology Mission for Dairy Development: The government has established a Technology Mission for Dairy Development to drive the sector forward.
- Anand Model Cooperatives: These cooperatives aim to cover about 60% of the country, promoting the dairy industry.
- Intensive Dairy Development Programme (IDDP): Launched in 1993-94, the IDDP aimed to support non-Operation Flood, hilly, and backward areas. It was modified in 2005 and extended to districts covered under Operation Flood. Objectives include:
- Developing milch cattle and increasing milk production by providing technical input services.
- Ensuring cost-effective milk procurement, processing, and marketing.
- Providing remunerative prices to milk producers.
- Generating additional employment opportunities and improving the socio-economic status of residents in disadvantaged areas.
- National Programme on Bovine Breeding & Dairy Development: This program aims to enhance milk production and productivity sustainably.
- National Dairy Plan Phase-I: Launched in 2012, it focuses on improving the productivity of milch animals and strengthening village-level infrastructure for milk procurement, giving producers better access to markets in the dairy sector.
Conclusion
In summary, livestock and Operation Flood have played a transformative role in India’s agricultural landscape, elevating the country’s status as the world’s largest milk producer. Livestock provides essential products, supports rural livelihoods, and holds cultural significance, while Operation Flood revolutionized milk production, enhancing income for small and marginal farmers. Despite challenges like inadequate infrastructure and low-quality breeds, technological advancements, cooperative models, and government initiatives have significantly improved productivity. With continued support and development programs, India’s livestock and dairy sectors hold immense potential for meeting rising domestic and global demands, contributing to the nation’s economic growth and rural empowerment.
- Analyze the various government schemes and programs for the development of cattle and buffalo breeding in India. How have these programs impacted livestock productivity? (250 words)
- Analyze the challenges faced by Operation Flood in achieving its objectives and how these challenges were addressed to ensure the program’s success. (250 words)
- Examine the prospects of the dairy industry in India, considering the achievements of Operation Flood and the role of government initiatives in enhancing milk production. (250 words)
Responses