Improvement of farm animals and poultry

Statistical Data on Livestock and Poultry Production

1. Global Livestock Industry
   • The world’s cattle population is around 987.5 million (FAO, 2023).
   • The global milk production reached 930 million metric tons in 2022, led by India, the USA, and China.
2. India’s Livestock and Poultry Sector
   • India has the largest cattle population, with 303.76 million cattle (Livestock Census 2019).
   • The country is the leading producer of milk, contributing 24% of global milk production (NDDB, 2023).
   • Poultry production in India has grown significantly, with egg production reaching 129.6 billion and broiler meat production at 4.2 million metric tons in 2022.
3. Poultry Industry Growth
   • The global poultry meat production was 137 million metric tons in 2022, with the USA, China, and Brazil as leading producers.
   • India’s poultry sector contributes 1.5% to GDP and 10% to the agriculture sector.

IMPROVEMENT OF FARM ANIMALS AND POULTRY

Introduction

The improvement of farm animals and poultry is essential for increasing productivity, ensuring food security, and enhancing the economic well-being of farmers. Various scientific breeding techniques, advanced feeding practices, and better management systems have been developed to enhance the genetic potential and overall efficiency of livestock and poultry farming.

According to the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization), the global livestock sector contributes about 40% of the total agricultural output and supports the livelihoods of approximately 1.3 billion people worldwide. In India, livestock contributes nearly 4.35% to the GDP and about 25.6% to the total agricultural GDP (2022-23 estimates). Poultry production in India has seen an annual growth rate of around 8% in recent years, making it one of the fastest-growing livestock sectors.

Methods of Improvement of Farm Animals

1. Selective Breeding

Selective breeding involves choosing superior animals for reproduction to enhance desirable traits in future generations. This can be achieved through:

• Pure Breeding: Mating animals of the same breed with desirable traits.
• Crossbreeding: Mating two different breeds to combine beneficial characteristics.
• Inbreeding: Mating closely related individuals to preserve specific traits.
• Outbreeding: Mating unrelated animals within the same breed to improve genetic diversity.

2. Artificial Insemination (AI)

Artificial insemination involves collecting semen from superior males and introducing it into the female reproductive tract. This method allows for:

• Genetic improvement without the need for transporting animals.
• Disease control and biosecurity.
• Efficient use of high-quality semen from elite bulls.

India has one of the largest AI programs, with approximately 70 million AI procedures performed annually, contributing significantly to dairy production.

3. Embryo Transfer Technology (ETT)

Embryo transfer involves implanting embryos from genetically superior females into surrogate mothers. This technique:

• Accelerates genetic improvement.
• Increases the number of offspring from high-quality females.
• Helps conserve endangered livestock breeds.

4. Genetic Engineering and Cloning

Advanced techniques like gene editing and cloning help create animals with enhanced productivity, disease resistance, and improved feed conversion ratios. Examples include:

• Genetically modified (GM) livestock for disease resistance.
• Cloning elite animals to replicate desirable traits.

5. Hybrid Vigor (Heterosis)

Crossbreeding different breeds results in hybrid vigor, leading to improved growth rate, fertility, and adaptability. Examples include:

• Karan Swiss (Brown Swiss x Sahiwal)
• Karan Fries (Holstein Friesian x Tharparkar)

Methods of Poultry Improvement

1. Selective Breeding in Poultry

• Selecting birds with high egg production, faster growth, and disease resistance.
• Popular breeds include:
  • Layer Breeds: White Leghorn, Rhode Island Red
  • Broiler Breeds: Cornish Cross, Plymouth Rock

2. Crossbreeding in Poultry Combining traits of different breeds to improve meat and egg production. Example: Hy-Line for egg production, Vencobb for broiler farming.

3. Artificial Insemination in Poultry Used mainly in turkey and high-value breeds to improve reproduction efficiency.

4. Nutritional and Management Improvements

• Proper feed formulation with balanced proteins, vitamins, and minerals.
• Use of probiotics and prebiotics for gut health.
• Strict biosecurity measures to prevent disease outbreaks.

Poultry production in India has grown significantly, with the total egg production reaching 129.6 billion in 2022-23 and the broiler meat industry producing around 4.8 million metric tons annually.

Government Initiatives for Livestock and Poultry Improvement

The Indian government has implemented several initiatives to enhance livestock and poultry production, ensuring genetic improvement, disease control, increased productivity, and better economic returns for farmers. These programs aim to modernize animal husbandry, boost milk and meat production, and promote indigenous breeds while maintaining sustainability.

1. National Livestock Mission (NLM)

The National Livestock Mission (NLM) was launched to ensure the sustainable development of the livestock sector with a focus on improving productivity and rural livelihoods.

Key Features:

• Encourages breed improvement programs for cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats, and pigs.
• Provides financial assistance for livestock rearing and fodder cultivation.
• Promotes entrepreneurship in the poultry and dairy sectors.
• Supports the development of feed and fodder resources to ensure proper nutrition for livestock.

Impact:

• Over ₹2,000 crores allocated for livestock and poultry development.
• Increased participation of farmers in commercial livestock farming.
• Significant rise in milk and meat production across various states.

2. Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM)

The Rashtriya Gokul Mission aims to improve the genetic makeup of indigenous cattle breeds and promote their conservation.

Key Features:

• Establishment of Gokul Grams, which are integrated indigenous cattle breeding centers.
• Expansion of artificial insemination services for breed improvement.
• Development of the National Bovine Genomic Centre to enhance cattle genetics.
• Incentives for farmers adopting improved breeding techniques.

Impact:

• Conservation of high-yielding indigenous breeds such as Gir, Sahiwal, Red Sindhi, and Tharparkar.
• More than 2 crore artificial inseminations conducted under the mission.
• Improvement in the productivity of native cattle, reducing reliance on foreign breeds.

3. National Dairy Development Programme (NDDP)

The National Dairy Development Programme (NDDP) focuses on increasing milk production and supporting the dairy industry.

Key Features:

• Expansion of dairy cooperatives and milk processing infrastructure.
• Financial support for farmers adopting high-yield dairy breeds.
• Training programs on scientific animal husbandry practices.
• Strengthening milk procurement and distribution networks.

Impact:

• India remains the largest milk producer in the world, with over 220 million metric tons produced annually.
• Increase in per capita milk availability from 355 grams per day (2015) to over 425 grams per day (2023).
• Boost in farmer incomes due to higher milk production and better market linkages.

4. Poultry Development Schemes

To promote sustainable poultry farming, the government has introduced several schemes targeting small-scale and commercial poultry farmers.

(i) Poultry Venture Capital Fund (PVCF)

• Provides financial assistance for setting up commercial poultry farms, hatcheries, and feed units.
• Encourages private investment in poultry production.

(ii) Rural Backyard Poultry Development Programme

• Distributes improved poultry breeds to rural farmers, helping them establish backyard poultry farms.
• Improves egg and meat production in rural areas, ensuring nutritional security.
• Focuses on SC/ST and women beneficiaries, providing them with free or subsidized poultry units.

(iii) Assistance to States for Control of Animal Diseases (ASCAD)

• Funds mass vaccination drives to control diseases such as avian influenza, Newcastle disease, and fowl cholera.
• Helps states improve veterinary healthcare infrastructure.

Impact:

• India ranks third in egg production and fifth in broiler production globally.
• Over 30 million rural households benefited from backyard poultry programs.
• Reduction in poultry disease outbreaks due to vaccination programs.

5. Livestock Insurance Scheme

The Livestock Insurance Scheme aims to protect farmers from financial losses due to livestock mortality.

Key Features:

• Provides insurance coverage for cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats, and pigs.
• Farmers receive compensation in case of death due to diseases, accidents, or natural disasters.
• Premium subsidies for small and marginal farmers.

Impact:

• More than 5 million animals insured across India.
• Reduction in farmer distress due to livestock-related financial losses.

6. National Artificial Insemination Programme (NAIP)

The National Artificial Insemination Programme was launched to enhance cattle and buffalo genetics through scientific breeding techniques.

Key Features:

• Expands artificial insemination (AI) services across rural areas.
• Uses semen from genetically superior bulls to improve milk yield and breed quality.
• Ensures free AI services for farmers, increasing adoption.

Impact:

• AI coverage increased to 75% of eligible cattle.
• Higher milk yield in AI-born calves (10–15% improvement in productivity).
• Reduction in cattle population growth rate, leading to better livestock management.

7. Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF)

This fund promotes infrastructure development in dairy and meat processing industries.

Key Features:

• Provides loans at subsidized interest rates for setting up milk processing, cold storage, and meat processing units.
• Encourages private sector investment in modern livestock farming techniques.
• Helps in value addition and export promotion of dairy and meat products.

Impact:

• Over ₹15,000 crores allocated for modernizing livestock infrastructure.
• Increase in export of dairy and meat products from India.