Animal Husbandry in Meghalaya
Livestock including Poultry is an integral part of agriculture and contributes significantly to rural economy. While agriculture contributes about 30% of the total output of GDP, livestock including poultry constitutes about 25% of the total agricultural output. Rearing of livestock and poultry is an age old practice in the country with no exception to the State of Meghalaya. Livestock production has a much larger contribution to manpower EMPLOYMENT than agriculture, while eggs, milk and meat production help in stepping up crop production through the availability of cash to the livestock farmer which is utilised for purchase of seed, manure and Fertilizers for agricultural operation. Establishment of Dairy, poultry, goat, pig farms help solve Unemployment problems and provide valuable protein, vitamin and mineral rich materials like eggs, milk and meat. Organic manure from livestock and poultry enrich the Soil for higher production of crop, vegetable and flower as well as horticultural produce.
In the State of Meghalaya, due to peculiar topography, varying climatic situation and socio-economic condition, the agriculture operation constitute to only about 10% of the total land under cultivation, thereby livestock and poultry provide the alternative avocation to the farmers for a subsidiary living.
Though the present output of livestock production in the State has been increasing at higher proportion to the Growth of human Population, the overall availability situation is not encouraging to the extent that as against the requirement of 220 gm of milk per person per day, only 75 gm is now available in the State. Similarly, availability of eggs per person per year is only 35 as against the requirement of 150. Therefore greater efforts are necessary to close the gap between demand and supply.
The department of Animal husbandry & Veterinary has taken up various measures to bring about a noticeable improvement in production, processing and Marketing of livestock and livestock products. One such measure is to establish more farms with quality germplasm for making availability to farmers.
The activities of the Department were mainly centred round the broad objectives of :
- Providing Health coverage to the Livestock and poultry population from the ravages of diseases through treatment and preventive vaccination.
- Introducing improved breeding techniques for upgrading the Local Stock.
- Ensuring better Animal Husbandry practices through scientific adoption and approach of Extension and Research.
- Building up of adequate technical and professional man-power through Education and Training.
- Encouraging setting up of livestock and poultry industries.
Infrastructure-2/”>INFRASTRUCTURE of the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department
Veterinary Hospital – 4
Veterinary Dispensaries – 113
Veterinary Aid Centres – 50
Mobile Veterinary Dispensaries – 15
Vigilance Unit – 7
Stockman Centres – 34
Key Village Centres – 15
Check Posts – 4
Disease Diagnostic Laboratories – 8
Cattle farm – 4
Buffalo Farm – 1
Poultry farm – 13
Pig farm – 13
During the last 40 years, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary has initiated various developmental programmes on different aspects of Livestock and Poultry sector for the interest of the State in general and the farmers in particular are as follows:
- Cattle & Buffalo Development
- Fodder Development
- Poultry Development
- Piggery Development
- Sheep, Goat & Rabbit Development
- Animal Health & Veterinary Services
- Veterinary Research
- Education and Training
- Dairy Development
- Subsidy Schemes
- CSS Schemes
Cattle and buffalo development
This is an integrated programme of cattle & buffalo development which includes breeding, feeding and management practices to boost up milk production as well as to develop a suitable marketing Network for milk and other milk products. There are four Cattle Farm and one Buffalo Farm in the state of Meghalaya. The department is also having 2 Intensive Cattle Development Project (ICDP) Centre for production of quality semen by establishing Liquid Nitrogen Plant. One at Upper Shillong and one at Tura. Artificial Insemination programmes in cattle are carried out in the field through 40 Stockman Centres and Key Village Centres spread throughout the State. The Objective is to upgrade the local cows and to augment milk production in the State.
Piggery development
Since the demand of pork in the State of Meghalaya is very high, the Government have established 13 Pig Farms in the State with the ultimate aim to augment production of pork. Pigs from these farm are being distribute to the farmers for further multiplication and up gradation of local stock The Pig farms are (i)Regional Pig Breeding Farm, Kyrdemkulai, (ii) Pig Farm, Mawryngkneng (iii) Pig Farm, Pynursla, (iv) Pig Farm, Thadlaskein (v) Pig Farm, Mairang (vi) Pig Farm, Nongstoin (vii) Pig Farm, Gindo(Waram Songma) (viii) Pig Farm, Dalu (ix) Pig Farm, Rongjeng (x) Pig Farm, Baghmara (xi) Pig Farm Laitryngew (xii) Pig Farm Nongkasen and ((xiii) Pig Farm Nongpiur.
Dairy development
The objective of the scheme is to supply wholesome milk to the consumers whereby milk is being procured from producers and distributed to the public after pastuerisation. The Procurement and Distribution has been given to their respective Agency/Society. The Department has got 3 Dairy Plants at Shillong, Jowai and Tura, and 2 Milk Chilling Plants, one each at Nongstoin and Resubelpara.
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Animal husbandry is the practice of raising livestock, including cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats, pigs, poultry, and fish. It is a major agricultural activity in Meghalaya, accounting for about 20% of the state’s gross domestic product (GDP).
The main types of livestock raised in Meghalaya are cattle, buffaloes, pigs, poultry, and fish. Cattle are the most important type of livestock, followed by buffaloes. Pigs are the third most important type of livestock, followed by poultry and fish.
Cattle are raised for their milk, meat, and hides. Buffaloes are raised for their milk, meat, and draft power. Pigs are raised for their meat. Poultry are raised for their eggs and meat. Fish are raised for their meat.
Animal husbandry is an important Source Of Income for many people in Meghalaya. It provides employment for about 10% of the state’s workforce. Animal husbandry also contributes to the state’s Food Security.
The main challenges facing animal husbandry in Meghalaya are low productivity, poor infrastructure, and lack of access to credit. Low productivity is due to a number of factors, including poor breeding practices, inadequate Nutrition, and lack of disease control. Poor infrastructure is a major problem, as many livestock farmers do not have access to good roads, water, and electricity. Lack of access to credit makes it difficult for livestock farmers to invest in their businesses.
The government of Meghalaya is taking a number of steps to address the challenges facing animal husbandry. These steps include:
- Providing training to livestock farmers on improved breeding practices, nutrition, and disease control.
- Building roads, water, and electricity Infrastructure in Rural Areas.
- Providing credit to livestock farmers.
- Promoting the development of value-added products, such as meat products, poultry products, fish products, dairy products, egg products, hides and skins products, wool products, fiber products, manure products, tallow products, gelatin products, leather products, and bone products.
These steps are expected to help improve the productivity of livestock, increase the income of livestock farmers, and contribute to the state’s food security.
In addition to the economic benefits, animal husbandry also has a number of environmental benefits. For example, livestock can help to improve Soil fertility, control pests and diseases, and provide a source of manure. Animal husbandry can also help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Overall, animal husbandry is an important activity in Meghalaya. It provides a source of income for many people, contributes to the state’s food security, and has a number of environmental benefits. The government of Meghalaya is taking a number of steps to address the challenges facing animal husbandry, and these steps are expected to help improve the productivity of livestock, increase the income of livestock farmers, and contribute to the state’s food security.
What is animal husbandry?
Animal husbandry is the care, breeding, and management of domesticated animals. It is a branch of agriculture that deals with the production of livestock, such as cattle, pigs, sheep, and poultry.
What are the benefits of animal husbandry?
Animal husbandry provides a number of benefits, including:
- Food: Livestock are a major source of food for humans, providing meat, milk, eggs, and other products.
- Fiber: Livestock are also a source of fiber, which is used to make clothing, bedding, and other products.
- Labor: Livestock can be used for labor, such as pulling plows or carrying loads.
- Manure: Livestock manure can be used as a fertilizer to improve crop yields.
- Companionship: Many people find animals to be good companions.
What are the challenges of animal husbandry?
Animal husbandry also faces a number of challenges, including:
- Disease: Livestock can be susceptible to a variety of diseases, which can be costly to treat and can even lead to death.
- Parasites: Livestock can also be infested with parasites, which can cause health problems and reduce productivity.
- Overgrazing: Overgrazing can lead to the degradation of rangeland, making it difficult for livestock to find food and water.
- Pollution: Animal waste can pollute water supplies and contribute to greenhouse gas emissions.
- Animal welfare: Some people are concerned about the welfare of animals raised for food or other purposes.
What are the ethical considerations of animal husbandry?
There are a number of ethical considerations to consider when it comes to animal husbandry. Some people believe that it is wrong to raise animals for food or other purposes, while others believe that it is possible to raise animals humanely. There is no easy answer to this question, and it is something that each individual must decide for themselves.
What are the environmental impacts of animal husbandry?
Animal husbandry has a number of environmental impacts, including:
- Greenhouse gas emissions: Livestock are a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, such as methane and nitrous oxide.
- Water Pollution: Animal waste can pollute water supplies, making it difficult for humans and other animals to use the water.
- Land degradation: Overgrazing can lead to the degradation of rangeland, making it difficult for plants to grow.
- Deforestation: Forests are often cleared to make way for livestock grazing or to grow feed crops.
What are the future trends in animal husbandry?
The future of animal husbandry is uncertain. Some experts believe that the demand for meat will continue to grow, while others believe that people will become more concerned about the environmental and ethical impacts of animal husbandry and will choose to eat less meat. It is possible that animal husbandry will become more sustainable in the future, but it is also possible that it will become less common.
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Which of the following is not a type of livestock?
(A) Cattle
(B) Sheep
(C) Chicken
(D) Fish -
Which of the following is the most common type of livestock in the world?
(A) Cattle
(B) Sheep
(C) Chicken
(D) Pigs -
Which of the following is the most common type of livestock in the United States?
(A) Cattle
(B) Sheep
(C) Chicken
(D) Pigs -
Which of the following is the most common type of livestock in China?
(A) Cattle
(B) Sheep
(C) Chicken
(D) Pigs -
Which of the following is the most common type of livestock in India?
(A) Cattle
(B) Sheep
(C) Chicken
(D) Pigs -
Which of the following is the most common type of livestock in Brazil?
(A) Cattle
(B) Sheep
(C) Chicken
(D) Pigs -
Which of the following is the most common type of livestock in Argentina?
(A) Cattle
(B) Sheep
(C) Chicken
(D) Pigs -
Which of the following is the most common type of livestock in Mexico?
(A) Cattle
(B) Sheep
(C) Chicken
(D) Pigs -
Which of the following is the most common type of livestock in Russia?
(A) Cattle
(B) Sheep
(C) Chicken
(D) Pigs -
Which of the following is the most common type of livestock in the European Union?
(A) Cattle
(B) Sheep
(C) Chicken
(D) Pigs