Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock (Minfal) has constituted a working group on livestock and fisheries to review the past achievements, constraints and potential of livestock and fisheries.
According to Minfal sources, the group will come up with workable policies, strategies and plans to improve productivity, which is estimated that 35.1 million tones of milk, 2.8 million tones of meat and 0.7 million tones of fish will be produced during 2007-08.
The medium term development framework envisages achieving self-reliance in livestock products and increasing productivity by giving emphasis on quality rather than the number of animals. Programmes for breed improvement through cross breeding, artificial insemination and embryo transfer technology will be implemented.
For keeping healthy and well-nourished herd, emphasis will be laid on better feeding and management practices. Exploitation of marine resources on sustainable basis will be undertaken. Shrimp farming and aquaculture development will be carried out to increase fish production.
Minfal sources disclosed that a new project "Improving Reproductive Efficiency of Cattle and Buffaloes in Small Holders Production System" will be launched in collaboration with Military Dairy Establishment. Quality semen will be provided to the farmers at the rate of Rs 25 to 30 per dose.
Facilities of embryo transfer will be extended to private sector at the rate of Rs 500 per embryo for the first three years of the project. Semen production and processing facilities will be strengthened both in public and private sector to improve local non-descript breeds of cattle.
According to Minfal sources, livestock is an important sub-sector of economy. It contributes 49 percent to the agriculture value added and 11 percent of the GDP. Development of livestock has strong linkages with other sectors such as rural development, industries, environment and poverty alleviation.
It is important in the poverty alleviation strategy for a larger segment of population residing in rural areas, as it provides a regular and ready cash flow and also helps in improving nutritional status particularly of women and children.
Minfal sources mentioned that the main focus of livestock and fisheries development is to achieve self-reliance in livestock products and improve productivity of animals in terms of milk and meat.
This is to be achieved through: development of new technologies, scientific methods of farming and improved management practices, exploiting export potential, import substitution, ensuring availability of credit, improving livestock marketing infrastructure and strengthening institutions, for livestock research and extensions and improve their linkages.
The productivity of livestock in terms of milk and meat is low. However, there is considerable potential to increase the productivity of livestock and fish production. The best breeds of cattle, buffaloes, goats and sheep are available whose full production potential has not been realised.
The productivity of livestock can be improved through provision of adequate and nutritious feeds, improved coverage against diseases, artificial insemination and adoption of modern animal husbandry practices. Similarly, the production of fisheries can also be enhanced through exploitation of marine resources and aquaculture development programmes, sources added.
According to Livestock Census 2006, the population of cattle registered a significant increase of 45 percent in 2006 when compared with 1996 while it was 16 percent higher in 1996 over 1986. The other major animals, which posted impressive increases include buffaloes and goats with 35 percent and 31 percent higher in 2006 over 1996.
Likewise in case of goats and buffaloes, increased by 37 percent and 29 percent in 1996 over 1986. Number of other animals like asses, mules, sheep, camels and horses increased by 20 percent, 18 percent, 13 percent, 13 percent and 3 percent, respectively in 2006 when compared with 1996 and it was higher by 91 percent, 19 percent, 1.0 percent and lower by 15 percent and 14 percent for mules, asses, sheep camels and horses respectively in 1996 over 1986.
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