Feed and forage resources for sustainable livestock development
Abstract
Indian agriculture and animal husbandry are integral part of each other and this scenario is expected to continue in the foreseeable future. Perhaps nowhere in the world do man and animals come together in such a rich and diversified cultural environment as attitudes and behaviour towards the animals are interwoven with the intricate fabric of Indian society. The bulk of livestock production takes place in rural areas, although specialized peri-urban dairy and goat enterprises are also emerging. It is predicted that meat and milk consumption will grow at 2.8 and 3.3 per cent per annum respectively, in developing countries like India. In fact, sustained economic growth, increasing urbanization and a shift in diets in favour of high protein foods are fueling the growth in demand for animal foods. Again demand for animal food is more income elastic. It has been estimated that the expenditure elasticity for milk is 0.6 and that for meat 0.9, compared to the negative or marginally positive elasticity for cereals. Livestock production is backbone of Indian agriculture contributing 7 per cent to national GDP and source of employment and ultimate livelihood for 70 per cent population in rural areas. Thus the livestock has been growing faster than the crop sector. If these trends continue, the livestock sector could emerge as an engine of growth of Indian agriculture. The human population in India is expected to reach over 1400 million by 2025. The 27.8 per cent urban population is poised to increase by over 58 per cent by 2025. Urbanization has brought a marked shift in the lifestyle of people in feeding habits towards milk products, meat and eggs with resultant increase in demand of livestock products. Peri-urban livestock farming and emerging fodder markets are indicators of fast changing economic scenario in livestock sector. Livestock population is around 500 million and is expected to grow at the rate of 1.23 per cent in the coming years.