Is reviving the livestock industry the answer to improving Indian farmers’ income and ensuring a sustainable way of life? Provide evidence to back up your response.(Answer in 150 words)
According to the 20th Livestock Census, 2019, India's livestock sector, with a total population of 535.82 million, is one of the largest in the world. This sector contributed 16 percent to the income of small farm households besides offering livelihoods to two-thirds of rural communities. It also prRead more
According to the 20th Livestock Census, 2019, India’s livestock sector, with a total population of 535.82 million, is one of the largest in the world. This sector contributed 16 percent to the income of small farm households besides offering livelihoods to two-thirds of rural communities. It also provides employment to about 8.8% of the population in India. One of the biggest impediments to the growth of this sector is the large-scale prevalence of diseases like Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), Anthrax, Classical Swine Fever (CSF), Avian Influenza (AI), etc., which pose the following challenges:
- Livestock diseases cause direct losses due to morbidity and mortality, reduced production in terms of milk, meat, wool, hide, and skins, as well as indirect losses due to abortions, subsequent infertility, sterility, and deterioration of semen quality.
- The diseases add to the economic losses of farmers, as they have to buy new livestock every now and then. Moreover, it also affects their income due to reduced consumption by consumers for certain time periods when there is a disease outbreak.
- They threaten poor families’ food security and livelihoods. At the same time, since poor smallholders often live in close proximity to their animals, diseases threaten these families health as well.
- The presence of diseases deters domestic and foreign investment in the livestock sector. These not only wreak havoc on the existing stock but also limit international trade.
In this regard, the government has taken various steps to tackle the risk of livestock diseases:
- Implementing the Livestock Health & Disease Control (LH & DC) Scheme, which envisages control and containment of economically important animal diseases by providing central financial assistance to the states, carrying out vaccination, strengthening veterinary services, and training veterinarians.
- Setting up Animal Quarantine and Certification Services Centers (AQCS) in the country to prevent the ingress of exotic animal diseases into the country through imported livestock and livestock products.
- Providing financial assistance for strengthening the five Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratories (RDDLs) at Jalandhar, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Pune, Guwahati, and a Centre for Animal Disease Research & Diagnosis (CADRAD) to enhance disease diagnostic facilities in the country.
- Launching the National Artificial Insemination Programme, which aims to suggest novel methods of bringing about impregnation in female breeds. It also aims to prevent the spread of certain diseases which are genital in nature, thereby enhancing the efficiency of the animal breed.
- Approval of the National Animal Disease Control Programme for Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Brucellosis (NADCP) for five years (2019-24).
The livestock sector can help alleviate rural poverty and improving this sector can go a long way in doubling farmers’ income besides providing an alternative source of livelihood. Thus, there is a need to work towards better disease control management and provide incentives for the same by the government.
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Indeed, reinvigorating the livestock industry may well be one of the ways to assure a sustainable livelihood and boost the earnings of Indian farmers. The following are some grounds in support of this claim: Diversification of Income: Livestock farming offers a regular source of income that is not dRead more
Indeed, reinvigorating the livestock industry may well be one of the ways to assure a sustainable livelihood and boost the earnings of Indian farmers. The following are some grounds in support of this claim:
Diversification of Income:
Livestock farming offers a regular source of income that is not dependent on crop failures during different seasons. This helps to mitigate the risks associated with purely agricultural-based economies that depend on crops for sustenance.
Nutritional Security:
Milk, meat, and eggs from livestock provide nutrition security by supplying essential nutrients often missing in cereal-based diets, hence leading to overall improved health and productivity within farming communities.
Employment Generation:
The potential for employment creation is enormous in the livestock sector, particularly in rural areas. The sector includes farmers as well as others involved in activities like feed production, veterinary services, and processing industries.
Women’s Empowerment:
In this line of business, women make a significant contribution towards animal husbandry, thus making it highly relevant for their empowerment. A higher involvement of women, together with appropriate resources and training, will promote better handling of animals, thereby raising household incomes.
Marginal Land Utilization:
This is the use of marginal lands and non-arable lands that are not fit for crop farming. It helps to improve land use efficiency and contributes towards improved agricultural productivity.
Value Addition:
Processing and marketing of animal products can lead to value addition, hence increasing income among farmers. Cheese, yogurt, and processed meats, among other products, have a wider market base and higher prices.
Government Initiatives and Support:
The Indian government has put in place various programs like the National Livestock Mission and the Rashtriya Gokul Mission, which enhance various schemes in support of the livestock sector. These programs are directed towards improving livestock productivity, health, and access to markets, thus enhancing favorable conditions for farmers.
Environmental Sustainability:
Properly managed animal husbandry can be part of environmental sustainability. Integrated farming systems practice where livestock waste is utilized as organic manure reduces dependence on chemical fertilizers besides promoting soil health.
To sum it up, re-energizing the livestock industry could be a strategic approach that would enable sustainable livelihoods as well as increase the income of Indian farmers. It presents various advantages, like economic stability, job creation, gender equality, and environmental protection. However, this demands a joint effort in availing adequate resources, training, and policy support towards harnessing the potential of the livestock sector.
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