The 21st Livestock Census, scheduled from October 2024 to February 2025, aims to provide comprehensive, digitized, and granular data on India’s livestock population, including new data points on pastoralists and gender-specific stray cattle statistics.
Introduction
The Livestock Census is a crucial exercise in India’s agricultural and rural development framework, providing valuable data on the country’s domesticated animals and their socio-economic contribution. Conducted every five years by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, it captures a detailed picture of animal species, breeds, and ownership patterns across rural and urban areas. The upcoming 21st Livestock Census is set to introduce technological advancements and expand its scope to include new dimensions like pastoralist contributions, gender data, and socio-economic trends, making it a vital tool for policy-making and sustainable development.
Key Features of the 21st Livestock Census
1. Inclusion of Diverse Animal Species
The census will cover 16 animal species, including cattle, buffalo, yak, sheep, goat, pig, camel, and horses, among others.
Poultry birds such as chicken, duck, turkey, quail, and emu will also be enumerated.
Information on 219 indigenous breeds, recognized by ICAR-NBAGR, will be recorded to assess genetic resources.
Pastoral animals like mithun and yak, unique to specific regions, will receive dedicated focus.
The comprehensive scope ensures that data encompasses traditional and modern livestock practices.
2. Technological Integration for Accuracy
A fully digitized process will be employed, leveraging mobile applications for data collection.
Data will include geo-tagged latitude and longitude of collection points to ensure location-specific accuracy.
Monitoring will occur through real-time dashboards for transparency and efficiency.
Reports and analytics will be generated through advanced software, minimizing errors and delays.
The continuity of digital transformation, first initiated in 2019, ensures modernization in the sector.
3. New Data Points for Deeper Insights
First-time inclusion of data on pastoralists, focusing on their socio-economic conditions and contribution to the livestock economy.
Information on the proportion of households relying on livestock as their primary income source will be captured.
Gender data on stray cattle and the economic dynamics they represent will be documented.
Enhanced focus on marginalized groups and their role in animal husbandry.
Granular information enables policymakers to address specific challenges and opportunities in the sector.
4. Role in Socio-Economic Development
The census will provide a detailed picture of the livestock sector’s contribution to rural livelihoods and national GDP.
Data will support programs like Rashtriya Gokul Mission and National Livestock Mission, aligning them with ground realities.
It will highlight the role of women in the livestock economy, promoting gender-inclusive policies.
Insights into regional livestock patterns will help address inequalities and drive balanced growth.
Better livestock management strategies will enhance food security and nutritional standards.
5. Policy Implications and Strategic Outcomes
The census will guide infrastructure development for veterinary services, fodder availability, and breeding programs.
It will assist in developing climate-resilient strategies for livestock, critical in the face of global warming.
Policies promoting indigenous breeds and sustainable livestock practices will gain momentum.
Export-oriented strategies for livestock products will be fine-tuned based on production data.
State governments will have access to real-time data for planning and implementation of localized schemes.
Conclusion
The 21st Livestock Census is poised to revolutionize India’s animal husbandry sector by introducing cutting-edge technology and capturing multidimensional data. Its insights will empower policymakers to design evidence-based interventions, enhancing productivity, sustainability, and socio-economic benefits for millions of households. As India strives for agricultural and rural development, this census will serve as a cornerstone for strategic growth, ensuring a resilient and inclusive livestock sector.
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