Livestock rearing has a big potential for providing non-farm employment and income in rural areas. Discuss…

Question

Livestock rearing has a big potential for providing non-farm employment and income in rural areas. Discuss suggesting suitable measures to promote this sector in India.

Ghissu Editorial · Accepted Answer

Livestock rearing offers inclusive rural income and off-farm jobs because animals are widely held by small and landless households and the sector outgrows crops. It contributed 30.87% of agricultural GVA in 2023-24, and better breeds, animal health, credit and markets can unlock it.

**Introduction**

Livestock contributed 30.87% of agricultural GVA and 5.5% of national GVA in 2023-24 (DAHD), and since animals are widely held by small and landless households, it is the most inclusive source of rural income beyond crops.

**Potential of Livestock for Rural Employment and Income**

FIGURE: p20-1 | Average GVA growth FY20-FY24: crops 4%, livestock 6.1%, fisheries 7.2% (Economic Survey 2025-26)

1. **Fastest growth**: Livestock and fisheries outgrew crops in FY20-FY24 (Economic Survey 2025-26), so diversifying into animals taps the farm economy's most dynamic part.
2. **Income smoothing**: Milk brings daily cash and animals serve as a "living bank" sold in distress when a monsoon fails.
3. **Women and landless**: Women-owned producer companies such as Shreeja Mahila Milk Producer Company in Andhra Pradesh convert women's animal care into income.
4. **Value chain jobs**: Chilling, feed, veterinary and processing work create off-farm jobs; livestock product exports reached ₹66,249 crore in 2024-25.

**Measures to Promote the Livestock Sector**

1. **Better breeds**: Scale Rashtriya Gokul Mission's sex-sorted semen and IVF for indigenous breeds like Gir and Sahiwal.
2. **Animal health**: Universalise NADCP vaccination against foot-and-mouth disease and the 1962 mobile veterinary units.
3. **Credit and infrastructure**: Use KCC for animal husbandry and the Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund for village chilling and feed units.
4. **Markets and fodder**: Pair National Livestock Mission fodder support with cooperatives, FPOs and A-HELP extension agents for assured procurement.

**Conclusion**

Livestock rearing diversifies rural earnings and reaches those with little land; better breeds, health and markets can make it the backbone of doubling farm incomes and SDG 2.

Livestock rearing has a big potential for providing non-farm employment and income in rural areas. Discuss suggesting suitable measures to promote this sector in India.

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