Year-end Review | Department Of Animal Husbandry and Dairying | Mains Analysis | Current Affairs

About the Ministry

The Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying & Fisheries (DADF) deals with improving livestock production, fisheries, and dairy development in India.
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (AH&D) was originally part of the Ministry of Agriculture.
In 1991, it became a separate department by combining two existing divisions:
1. Animal Husbandry
2. Dairy Development
In 1997, merging the Fisheries Division of the Department of Agriculture and Cooperation and a portion of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries into the existing Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
AH&D plays a crucial role in advising state governments and union territories on policies and programs related to animal husbandry and dairy development. Their key focus areas include:
- Improving Animal Productivity – This involves developing infrastructure within states to enhance the productivity of livestock.
- Livestock Healthcare – Ensuring the preservation and protection of livestock through the provision of essential healthcare services.
- Superior Germplasm Development – Strengthening central livestock farms to breed and distribute high-quality animals (cattle, sheep and poultry) to states, leading to improved genetic stock.

Livestock Sector

Livestock Sector grew at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 12.99% from 2014-15 to 2022-23.
The contribution of livestock in total agriculture and allied sector Gross Value Added (GVA) has increased from 24.38% in 2014-15 to 30.23% in 2022-23 (at Current Prices).
Livestock sector contributed 5.50% of total GVA in 2022-23(at Current Prices).
Milk production – India is ranked first in milk production contributing 24.76% of global milk production.
Milk production is growing at Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.62% over the past 10 years from 146.31 million tonnes during 2014-15 to 239.30 million tonnes during 2023-24.
Egg and meat production – According to Food and Agriculture Organization Corporate Statistical Database (FAOSTAT) production data (2022), India ranks 2^nd in Egg Production and 5^th in meat production in the world.

Objective – Towards employment generation, entrepreneurship development; increase in per animal productivity and thus targeting increased production of meat, goat milk, egg and wool.

Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP)

Aim – To enhance the productivity of the livestock and boost farmers' incomes, particularly for those dependent on livestock for their livelihood.
Implemented to – Address livestock diseases and enhance veterinary healthcare infrastructure.

Livestock Census

The livestock census is conducted across the country periodically every 5 years since 1919.
20^th Livestock Census – Was conducted in the year 2019 with the participation of Animal Husbandry Department of all the States/UTs.

For the first time such a major initiative has been taken to digitise household level data through online transmission from the field.

Integrated Sample Survey

It is taken to bring out estimates of Major Livestock Products (MLP) such as Milk, Egg, Meat and Wool.
The estimates are published in Annual Publication of Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics (BAHS) of the Department.

Rashtriya Gokul Mission

Aim – Conservation and development of indigenous bovine breeds in a scientific and holistic manner.
Duration – From 2021-2022 to 2025-2026.
Implemented by – Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
Component – Of the Rashtriya Pashudhan Vikas Yojna from 2021 to 2026.
Benefits – Women, in particular since over 70% of the work involved in livestock farming is undertaken by women.

National Gopal Ratna Awards is one of the highest National Awards in the field of livestock and dairy sector.

National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD)

Launched – in February 2014, by merging 3 existing schemes such as:
1. Intensive Dairy Development Programme
2. Strengthening Infrastructure for Quality
3. Clean Milk Production and Assistance to Cooperatives
Aim – To enhance quality of milk and milk products, milk procurement, processing, value addition and marketing.
Achievement – The scheme has helped in creation and revival of 19,010 dairy cooperative societies, addition of 18.17 lakh new farmer members to dairy cooperative societies.

Dairy Processing and Infrastructure Development Fund (DIDF)

Launched – In 2017-18 to help dairy farmers and cooperative societies with working capital loans.
Implementation – By the National Dairy Development Board.

Aim – To eradicate ‘Foot and Mouth disease’ (FMD) and ‘Brucellosis’ in livestock by 2030.
Vaccination campaigns for other diseases like Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) and Classical Swine Fever (CSF) have also seen substantial progress, with millions of vaccinations completed.

Objectives – To improve processing capacity and product diversification of milk and meat.
To ensure accessibility of quality food and feed, provide protein enriched food and to prevent malnutrition.
To develop entrepreneurship, generate employment and to promote exports.

References

Year-end Review | Department Of Animal Husbandry and Dairying