Tag: GS 3 || Economy || Agriculture || Animal Husbandry

Why In News?

Prime Minister will be launching National Animal Disease Control Programme for Foot and Mouth Disease and Brucellosis.

National Animal Disease Control Programme

The programme for Foot and Mouth Disease and Brucellosis is a 100% centrally funded programme, with a total outlay of Rs.12,652 crore from 2019 to 2024.

funded programme, with a It aims to control Foot and Mouth Disease and Brucellosis by 2025 with vaccination and eventual eradication by 2030.

About FMDs- Foot and mouth disease (FMD)

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is a severe, highly contagious viral disease of livestock that has a significant economic impact.

of livestock that has a The disease affects cattle, swine, sheep, goats and other cloven-hoofed ruminants.

Intensively reared animals are more susceptible to the disease than traditional breeds.

The disease is rarely fatal in adult animals, but there is often high mortality in young animals due to myocarditis or , when the dam is infected by the disease, lack of milk.

FMD is characterised by fever and blister-like sores on the tongue and lips, in the mouth , on the teats and between the hooves.

, on the The disease causes severe production losses, and while the majority of affected animals recover, the disease often leaves them weakened and debilitated.

FMD is found in all excretions and secretions from infected animals. Notably, these animals breathe out a large amount of aerosolised virus, which can infect other animals via the respiratory or oral routes.

from infected animals. Notably, these animals breathe out a large amount or oral routes. The virus may be present in milk and semen for up to 4 days before the animal shows clinical signs of disease.

Schemes to Control FMD and Brucellosis

Cabinet announced special scheme for control of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Brucellosis.

The entire cost of the scheme is to be borne out by the Central Government.

The scheme includes vaccination coverage to 30 crore bovines, 20 crore sheep or goat, and 10 million pigs.

million pigs. Brucellosis control programme shall extend to cover 100% vaccination coverage of 3.6 crore female calves.

Role of Livestock in Indian Economy

Livestock plays an important role in Indian economy. About 5 million people depend upon livestock for their livelihood. Livestock contributed 16% to the income of small farm households as against an average of 14% for all rural households.

depend upon livestock for their livelihood. of small farm households as against an Livestock provides livelihood to two-third of rural community. It also provides employment to about 8 % of the population in India. India has vast livestock resources. Livestock sector contributes 4.11% GDP and 25.6% of total Agriculture GDP.

Livestock resources -India is

World’s highest livestock owner at about 05 million

First in the total buffalo population in the world – 3 million buffaloes

Second in the population of cattle and goats – 5 million goats

Second largest poultry market in the world

Second largest producer of fish and also second largest aquaculture nation in the world

Third in the population of sheep (72 millions)

Fifth in the population of ducks and chicken

Tenth in camel population in the world.

Source: 19th Livestock Census

Contribution of livestock to people

Food: The livestock provides food items such as Milk, Meat and Eggs for human consumption . India is number one milk producer in the world . It is producing about 34 million tones of milk in a year (2017-18). Similarly it is producing about 95.22 billions of eggs, 7.70 million tonnes of meat in a year.

The livestock provides food items such . India is . It is producing about year (2017-18). Similarly it is in a year. Fibre and skins: The livestock also contributes to the production of wool, hair, hides, and pelts. Leather is the most important product which has a very high export potential . India is producing about 41.5 million Kg of wool per annum during 2017-18.

The livestock also contributes to the production of wool, hair, hides, and pelts. Leather is the most important product which . India is producing Draft: Bullocks are the backbone of Indian agriculture . Despite lot of advancements in the use of mechanical power in Indian agricultural operations, the Indian farmer especially in rural areas still depend upon bullocks for various agricultural operations. The bullocks are saving a lot on fuel which is a necessary input for using mechanical power like tractors, combine harvesters etc. Pack animals like camels, horses, donkeys, ponies, mules etc are being extensively used to transport goods in different parts of the country in addition to bullocks. In situations like hilly terrains mules and ponies serve as the only alternative to transport goods. Similarly , the army has to depend upon these animals to transport various items in high areas of high altitude.

. Despite lot of advancements in the use of mechanical power in Indian agricultural operations, the Indian still depend upon bullocks for various agricultural operations. which is a necessary input for using mechanical power like tractors, combine harvesters etc. Pack animals goods in different parts of the country in addition to bullocks. In situations like hilly terrains mules and ponies serve as the only alternative to transport goods. Similarly Dung and other animal waste materials: Dung and other animal wastes serve as very good farmyard manure and the value of it is worth several crores of rupees. In addition it is also used as fuel (biogas, dung cakes), and for construction as poor man’s cement (dung).

Dung and other animal wastes serve as very good farmyard manure and the value of it is worth several crores of rupees. In addition it is also used as fuel (biogas, dung cakes), and for construction as Storage: Livestock are considered as ‘moving banks’ because of their potentiality to dispose off during emergencies.

Livestock are considered as ‘moving banks’ because of their potentiality to dispose off during emergencies. Weed control: Livestock are also used as Biological control of brush, plants and weeds.

Cultural: Livestock offer security to the owners and also add to their self esteem especially when they are owning prized animals such as pedigreed bulls, dogs and high yielding cows/ buffaloes etc.

Livestock offer security to the owners and also add to their self esteem especially when they are owning prized animals such as pedigreed bulls, dogs and high yielding cows/ buffaloes etc. Sports/recreation: People also use the animals like cocks, rams, bulls etc for competition and sports. Despite ban on these animal competitions the cock fights, ram fights and bull fights (jalli kattu) are quite common during festive seasons.

on these animal competitions the cock fights, ram fights and bull fights (jalli kattu) are quite common during festive seasons. Companion animals: Dogs are known for their faithfulness and are being used as companions since time immemorial.

Role of livestock in farmers’ economy

Income: Livestock is a source of subsidiary income for many families in India especially the resource poor who maintain few heads of animals. Cows and buffaloes if in milk will provide regular income to the livestock farmers through sale of milk.

in India especially the resource poor who maintain few heads of animals. Cows and buffaloes if in milk will provide regular income to the livestock farmers through sale of milk. Employment: A large number of people in India being less literate and unskilled depend upon agriculture for their livelihoods. But agriculture being seasonal in nature could provide employment for a maximum of 180 days in a year. The landless and less land people depend upon livestock for utilizing their labour during lean agricultural season.

agriculture for their livelihoods. But agriculture being seasonal in nature could provide employment for a maximum of 180 days in a year. The landless and less land people depend upon livestock for utilizing their labour during lean agricultural season. Food: The livestock products such as milk, meat and eggs are an important source of animal protein to the members of the livestock owners

source of animal protein to the members of the livestock owners Social security: The animals offer social security to the owners in terms of their status in the society.

Additional Info

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/narendra-modi-segregates-plastic-waste-alongwith-labourers/article29390695.ece

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1584719

http://vikaspedia.in/agriculture/livestock/role-of-livestock-in-indian-economy

Mains Question

Livestock sector in India has an important role to play in enhancing the level of inclusive growth in the country. Discuss.