Animal Husbandry sector refers to livestock raising and selective breeding. It is the management & care of animals for the keen profit. Almost 55% of rural population depends on it. It has the potential to be multidimensional in improving farmers income and standards of living.
Importance of Animal Husbandry Sector
- Doubling Farmer's Income
- Helpful in Poverty Alleviation Programs
- Source of Livelihood for Small & Marginal Farmers
- Empowerment of women
Hence, for its development Government has initiated various measures such as
1.Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF)
First Fund Launched by Goverment for its development & growth.
Corpus of Rs. 15000 reserved for Fund.
2.Rashtriya Gokul Mission
Aimed to Conserve and promote indigenous breeds. It adopts holistic approach dealing with all aspects of holistic approach bovine population for development of indigenous bride.
Enhance Milk Production of Bovines.
3.National Livestock Mission
For Integrated Management in Livestock Production(FIDF) .
4.Fisheries development Fund & Marine Products Export Development Authority MPEDA)
For promotion of Fisherise sectou & to allow their longer exports.
5.National Animal Disease control Programme
Diseases like brucellosis are to targeted and 100% Vaccination of sheeps ,cows, buffaloes is aimed.
6.National Artificial insemination Programme
The impregnation of female cattle by novel methods to Prevent spread of genetic diseases and enhancement of breeds.
The Farmers Producer organizations, Co-operatives, digitalisation of details and information are some initiatives by government that help in effectiveness of Promoting in livestock mission.
Several challenges, however, impede the development of Animal Husbandry sector:
- Lack of Skills & Technology.
- Corruption in Implementation of scheme.
- Infrastructure Bottlenecks related to Processing.
- Non-availability of Good Breeds of Bovines.
Way Forward
- Bottom to Top Approach is needed
- FPO promotion is essential for growth.
- Infrastructure should be developed & Leveraged.
- Sustainable Farming with reference to Climate Change should be ensured.
Thus, Animal Husbandry sector opens a wide array of opportunities for the grouth of Indian Primary & Secondary sector to achieve SDG Goals 1,2,3, 5.