The value-addition in the livestock sub-sector grew by 4.3 percent in FY07, said official sources. According to update reports, population growth of buffalo and goat registered a decrease by 3.9 percent and 13.1 percent as compared with last year, while growth in domestic supply of meat and milk is unable to meet the strong and growing demand, country imported a sufficient quantum of these products every year.
Despite difficulties in raising livestock, official sources mentioned that the emphasis should be given to increase in infrastructure facilities, improvement in breeding, health and growth of animals, better marketing facilities and extended/easy approach to funds.
Further, in recent years, the livestock sector has been recognised as an important factor in enabling the growth and stability of income for rural households. Increased access to institutional credit, technical support from government, as well as initiatives of dairy farming at large scale by the private sector, are therefore welcome developments. The initiatives to increase supply are supported by the increasing popularity of packaged dairy products, which is improving the returns to the farmers as well.
In addition, activities of this sector are increasingly reported in the formal sector. All these developments indicate that the contribution of the livestock sector could significantly increase in the years ahead.
According to official sources, 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.
A Working Group on Livestock and fisheries has been constituted by MINFAL to review the past achievements, constraints and potential of livestock and fisheries. The Group will come up with workable policies, strategies and plans to improve productivity.
It 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.
Presently, 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.
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 disease 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.
Comments
Comments are closed.