Description

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Context:

The Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying will present the 21st edition of The Livestock Census in New Delhi.

Livestock Census

The Livestock census is the Headcount of domesticated animals, poultry, and stray animals across India or the species, breed, age, sex, and ownership status of animals.

It is conducted in both rural and urban areas.

It is conducted every five years.

Coverage

Over 87,000 enumerators visit independent homes, apartments, enterprises, and institutions such as e.g., gaushalas, dairy farms, veterinary colleges, etc. and cover around 30 crore households in India.

Historical Background

The First Census was initiated in 1919.

The livestock census is conducted across the country every 5 years.

So far a total of 20 Censuses have been Conducted: with the last in being conducted 2019.

The 19th livestock census was conducted decades ago in 2012.

The upcoming Census or the 21st census is scheduled for October 2024 to February 2025.

About the 21st Livestock Census

16 key animal species, including cattle, buffalo, Mithun, yak, sheep, goat, pig, camel, horse, ponies, mule, donkey, dog, rabbit, and elephant will be counted in the census.

219 indigenous breeds recognized by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources(ICAR-NBAGR)will be counted in the census.

Poultry to be covered includes fowl, chicken, duck, turkey, geese, quail, ostrich, and emu.

Innovations in the 21st Livestock Census

Complete digitalisation

The 21st Livestock Census implements the fully digitised process for data collection via mobile app, digital dashboard, GPS tagging, etc.

New Data Points:

Pastoral Animals will also be included and Pastoralists and their Socio-economic data and livestock contributions will be featured.

Granular Data such as the Income dependence on livestock and gender data for stray cattle will also be included.

Gender Roles: Data on all genders or the primary person who is involved in the livestock rearing process will be captured for the first time.

Importance of the Livestock Census

Economic relevance:

The livestock sector contributes around 30% of the Gross Value Added (GVA) in agriculture in India.

Overall, livestock Gross Value Added (GVA) in India is 4.7% of the national economy. This makes livestock census necessary for overall information about them for informed decision-making.

Policy Formulation:

Data from the livestock census aids in policy development for sustainable growth in the livestock sector.

SDG Tracking:

The livestock senses support SDG Goal 2 of Zero Hunger and Target 2.5 of genetic diversity in food. Apart from this the census also tracks indicator 2.5.2 which is the Risk status of local livestock breeds.

The 2019 Livestock Census

This was the 20th census in series and it found 535.78 million total livestock population of India. Majority of the animals included:

192.9 million cattle population

148.88 million goat population

109.85 million buffaloes population

74.26 million sheep population

9.06 million pigs population

All other animals taken together contributed only 0.23 per cent of all livestock populations in India.

Read more about the census here

20th Livestock Census

Sources:

INDIAN EXPRESS

THE HINDU

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q.Consider the following statements about the Livestock Census in India:

The Livestock census is the headcount of domesticated animals, poultry, and stray animals conducted in both rural and urban areas.
The livestock census is conducted across the country every 5 years.
Poultry is excluded from the 21st Livestock Census.

Which of the above statements are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only

B. 2 and 3 only

C. 1, 2 and 3 only

D. None

Answer: A

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct:

The Livestock census is the Headcount of domesticated animals, poultry, and stray animals across India or the species, breed, age, sex, ownership status of animals.
It conducted in both in rural and urban areas.
It is conducted every five years.

Coverage

Over 87,000 enumerators visit independent homes, apartments, enterprises, and institutions such as e.g., gaushalas, dairy farms, veterinary colleges, etc. and cover around 30 crore households in India.

Statement 2 is correct:

The First Census was initiated in 1919.
The livestock census is conducted across the country every 5 years.
So far a total of 20 Censuses have been Conducted: with the last in being conducted 2019.
The 19th livestock census was conducted decades ago in 2012.
Upcoming Census or the 21st census is scheduled for October 2024 to February 2025.

Statement 3 is incorrect:

21st Livestock Census

16 key animal species, including the cattle, buffalo, mithun, yak, sheep, goat, pig, camel, horse, ponies, mule, donkey, dog, rabbit, and elephant will be counted in the census.
219 indigenous breeds recognized by Indian Council of Agricultural Research-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources(ICAR-NBAGR)will be counted in the census.
Poultry to be covered includes fowl, chicken, duck, turkey, geese, quail, ostrich, and emu.