The Livestock Census launched on October 25, 2024 will be covering the period from October 2024 to February 2025.

About Livestock Census 

• The first Livestock Census in India was carried out in 1919-1920. Since then it has been conducted once every five years.
• The Livestock Census (LC) is a nationwide exercise conducted every five years by the Government of India to collect comprehensive data on the livestock population across the country.
• It aims to provide valuable insights into the livestock sector, enabling policymakers to design strategies for sustainable growth, disease control, breed improvement, and rural livelihood enhancement.

Enroll now for UPSC Online Classes

Key Innovations in the 21st Livestock Census

• Large survey Force: Conducted by one lakh veterinary and para-veterinary staff across all states and Union Territories.
• Digital Advancements: Introduction of a mobile application for data collection to improve accuracy, efficiency, and timeliness.
• Real-time monitoring enabled through a web-based dashboard for comprehensive data oversight.
• New Data Collection Features
• Gender Roles: Data on the gender of the primary person involved in livestock rearing will be captured for the first time.
• Pastoralist Data: Separate data on livestock holdings by pastoralists will be available for better understanding and planning.

Categories and Species Counted in the Census

• Main Categories: The census includes detailed data on 15 livestock species, excluding poultry, which are counted separately.
  • Species counted include cattle, buffalo, mithun, yak, sheep, goat, pig, camel, horse, ponies, mule, donkey, dog, rabbit, and elephant.
• Poultry and Bird Categories: The census also involves a headcount of poultry, including fowl, ducks, turkeys, geese, quails, guinea fowls, ostriches, and emus.
• Data on poultry will be gathered by visiting individual households, enterprises, and institutions.
• Breed-Specific Data: The census covers data on 219 recognized indigenous breeds of 16 species, including poultry, as recognized by the Indian Council for Agricultural Research-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBAGR).

Check Out UPSC NCERT Textbooks From PW Store

Implications and Expected Outcomes

• Improved Livestock Management: Updated data on livestock will enable more precise targeting of disease control, animal health management, and breed improvement initiatives.
• Support for Rural Livelihoods: Insights from the census will help identify areas where government interventions can improve livelihoods, particularly for the 2.1 crore people dependent on livestock.
• Enhanced Gender-Specific Support Programs: With data on gender roles in livestock rearing, the government can tailor support for women and men involved in the sector, empowering more effective programs.

DOWNLOAD PDF