Animal husbandry is the agricultural practise of selective breeding and raising livestock such as cattle, dogs, sheep, and horses. It entails animal management and care in which the genetic qualities and regular behaviour of animals are developed for profit. It aids in the proper administration of animals by providing adequate food, shelter, and disease protection for domestic animals. It promotes the development of high-yielding animal breeds through crossbreeding and boosts the production of various food products such as milk, eggs, and meat. Aside from that, because it involves the proper disposal of animal waste, promotes a healthy environment, and provides employment to many farmers, animal husbandry is becoming more popular in India. In this article, we will discuss Animal Husbandry which will be helpful for UPSC exam preparation

Animal Husbandry Sector in India

• Animal husbandry provides a living for a large number of farmers. It provides employment for nearly 55% of the rural population.
• According to the Economic Survey 2021, livestock's contribution to total agriculture and allied sector Gross Value Added (at Constant Prices) has risen from 24.32% in 2014-15 to 28.63% (2018-19).
• According to the 20th Livestock Census, the total livestock population in the country is 535.78 million, a 4.6% increase from the Livestock Census 2012.
• Animal husbandry has many multidimensional potential. For example, Operation Flood, which began in 1970, assisted dairy farmers in directing their own development, increasing milk production ("a flood of milk"), augmenting rural incomes, and ensuring reasonable consumer prices.

Types of Animal Husbandry

Dairy Farming​

• Dairy farming is an agricultural technique that involves the long-term production of milk, which is then processed to produce dairy products such as curd, cheese, yoghurt, butter, cream, and so on.
• It entails the management of dairy animals such as cows, buffaloes, sheep, goats, and so on.
• The animals are protected from disease and are inspected on a regular basis by veterinary doctors.
• A healthy animal is one that is physically, mentally, and socially sound.
• These animals are milked by hand or by machines. Milk is preserved and industrially converted into dairy products, which are then sold.

Poultry Farming

• Poultry farming is the commercial raising and breeding of birds.
• Domesticated birds include ducks, chickens, geese, pigeons, and turkeys.
• To obtain healthy food from animals, it is critical to care for them and keep them in a disease-free environment.
• Protein is abundant in eggs and meat.
• Sanitation and hygiene must be maintained. Bird faeces is used as manure to improve soil fertility.
• Poultry farming employs a large number of people and helps farmers' economies.

Fish Farming

• Fish farming is the process of raising fish in closed tanks or ponds for commercial purposes.
• Fish and fish protein are in high demand. Fish farms raise salmon, catfish, cod, and tilapia.
• Extensive aquaculture is based on local photosynthetic production.
• Intensive aquaculture is based on external food supply for fish.

Bee Farming

• Bee farming, also known as apiculture, is the practise of keeping bee colonies in man-made hives by humans
• Domesticated bees are kept for honey, wax, and to pollinate flowers.
• An apiary, also known as a bee yard, is a place where bees are kept.

Importance of Animal Husbandry Sector

• It has significantly contributed to women's empowerment by increasing their income and role in society.
• It is a significant risk mitigation strategy for small and marginal farmers, particularly in India's rain-fed regions.
• From the standpoints of equity and livelihood, it is central to poverty alleviation programmes.
• The Inter-Ministerial Committee has identified livestock productivity as one of the seven sources of income growth under the government's target of doubling farmers' income by 2022.

Challenges Faced by Animal Husbandry Sector

• Obstacles include a lack of superior quality breeding bulls.
• Many laboratories produce sperm of poor quality.
• Animal disease control is ineffective due to a lack of fodder resources.
• There is no field-based conservation strategy for indigenous breeds.
• Lack of skills and quality services for farmers to improve productivity, as well as inadequate infrastructure to support the sector.

Initiatives by Government to Promote Animal Husbandry

Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF)

• This is the government's first major fund, and it includes a diverse set of stakeholders such as Farmer Producer Organizations (FPO), private dairy players, individual entrepreneurs, and non-profits.
• It was launched in June 2020. It was established with a Rs.15,000 crore investment.
• Its aim is to encourage private investment in dairy processing, value addition, and cattle feed infrastructure.
• Incentives will be offered for the establishment of plants for the export of niche products.
• A niche product is one that targets a specific segment of a larger industry or market. Niche products are frequently (but not always) more expensive than more generic products.
• It will also help to establish animal feed plants of varying capacities, such as mineral mixture plants, silage making units, and an animal feed testing laboratory.

National Animal Disease Control Programme

• It has been launched for Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Brucellosis with a total outlay of Rs.13,343 crore to ensure 100% vaccination of the cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat, and pig population.

Rashtriya Gokul Mission

• To develop and preserve indigenous bovine breeds.
• To boost milk production and make it more profitable for farmers.

National Livestock Mission

• It was launched in the year 2014-15.
• To ensure quantitative and qualitative improvements in livestock production systems, as well as capacity building for all stakeholders.

National Artificial Insemination Programme

• To propose novel methods of inducing impregnation in female breeds.
• To prevent the spread of certain genital diseases, thereby increasing the breed's efficiency.

Conclusion

Many farmers in India rely on animal husbandry for a living. Animals, particularly bullocks, are a primary source of power for both farmers and dairies, in addition to providing milk, meat, eggs, wool, castings (dung), and skins. As a result, animal husbandry is critical to the rural economy. If investments are made in a timely manner, pressure on the farm sector will be reduced, with enormous benefits for the entire economy. The Animal Husbandry sector has macroeconomic benefits in terms of climate change and employment, and improved infrastructure can make processing units more energy-efficient and help reduce their carbon footprint.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Which of the following is NOT a practice of animal husbandry?

A) Dairy farming
B) Poultry farming
C) Organic farming
D) Goat rearing

2. Which animal husbandry sector has the largest contribution to India's GDP?

A) Poultry farming
B) Dairy farming
C) Sheep farming
D) Goat rearing

3. What is a key challenge in animal husbandry in India?

A) Excessive government support
B) Lack of skilled labor
C) Inadequate veterinary care
D) Overproduction of milk

4. Which of the following is NOT an allied sector to agriculture in India?

A) Animal husbandry
B) Horticulture
C) Dairy farming
D) Coal mining

5. What is the primary goal of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB)?

A) Improve dairy production
B) Promote wool production
C) Provide veterinary services
D) Promote goat farming

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Animal husbandry is often considered the backbone of rural economies in India. Discuss its contribution to rural livelihoods and suggest measures for its improvement.

Answer: Animal husbandry contributes significantly to rural livelihoods by providing employment, food security, and income through the production of milk, meat, eggs, and wool. To improve animal husbandry, steps should include better veterinary services, advanced breeding technologies, and better fodder management. Training farmers in modern practices and improving access to markets are also key.

Q2: How does animal husbandry impact the agricultural sector and rural development in India? Discuss its role in India’s agrarian economy.

Answer: Animal husbandry supports the agricultural sector by providing additional sources of income, fertilizers (manure), and draught power for farming. It is essential in rural development as it creates jobs, sustains local economies, and supports food security. Its link to other sectors like dairy, poultry, and leather further boosts economic growth.

Q3: Examine the challenges faced by India in the field of animal husbandry and propose solutions for sustainable growth in this sector.

Answer: India faces several challenges in animal husbandry, such as inadequate veterinary care, lack of quality fodder, disease outbreaks, and low productivity. Solutions include improving livestock health management, enhancing fodder production, providing farmer education, promoting better breeding practices, and facilitating access to better markets for products.

Previous Year Questions on Animal Husbandry

UPSC CSE 2016

Question: "Discuss the importance of animal husbandry in the rural economy of India. How can the government enhance its contribution to agricultural productivity?"

Answer: The answer should focus on the economic and social significance of animal husbandry, discussing its role in employment generation, food security, and rural income. Proposals for enhancing productivity could include improving breeding technologies, enhancing veterinary care, and boosting fodder production.

UPSC CSE 2019

Question: "What are the main challenges in India's animal husbandry sector? Suggest ways to address these challenges for sustainable development."

Answer: The answer should focus on challenges like inadequate healthcare, poor breeding practices, insufficient fodder, and disease outbreaks. Solutions could include improving veterinary services, promoting better feed management, and implementing disease control measures, alongside policy reforms for better farmer support.