Livestock Production, Marketing, and Future Prospects in India

Abstract

Livestock husbandry has always been the backbone of rural economy in India. It provides the
income, employment, nutrition and manures for the poor under privileged farming community of rural India. Intensification and scaling up of livestock size is increasing and traditional form of production system with limited capital and labours tends to move up for achieving economic viability or profitability and avoiding land and water stress or crisis generated through extra demand for food crops, fodder and feed crops. The present study tries to analyze the mechanism of livestock production system, marketing structure and future implications of current socio-political decisions in India. The results of the study show that after launching of operation flood program the livestock sector grown at tremendous pace and the country became largest producer of milk and livestock population in the world. Initially cattle population increased but during 1992-2012 it declined from 206 to 109 millions. Buffalo increased 43 million in 1951 to 108 million in 2012. India is the largest producer of milk with a record of 176.30 million tonnes during 2017-18 which grew up from 56.60 million tonnes in1991-92.marketing of livestock ant their products as meat and milk has been still traditional and controlled by unorganised sectors like village traders, itinerant traders, producer sellers and some commission agents. Rural markets and farm gates in villages are mostly transaction place for live animal trades. Meat industries located in peri-urban areas exceptionally follow some organised channels.80 percent milk trade is performed by unorganised network consisting of producer sellers, itinerant village
traders and sometimes consumer himself. Cooperative societies and corporate private
enterprises undertake about 20 percent dairy trade. Domestic marketing of meat trade is also undertaken by unorganised sectors especially particular a Muslim community. Poultry and mutton trade has exception which is also undertaken by non Muslim in urban areas. Meat export chiefly buffalo beef is increasing after globalization of economy and agricultural trade This sector presents huge potentials of growth as the population base of the country is expanding and creating huge demand and employment opportunities but government need to established the proper marketing channels, regulatory bodies and standard pricing system.
Keywords: backbone, nutrition, Intensification, demand, expanding.