Animal Husbandry of Himachal Pradesh

Animal husbandry is the branch of agriculture concerned with animals that are raised for meat, fiber, milk, eggs or other products. It includes day-to-day care,selective breeding, and the raising of Livestock.

Animal Husbandry has a long history, starting with the Neolithic revolution when animals were first domesticated, from around 13,000 BC onwards.

NATIONAL LIVESTOCK POLICY, 2013

Livestock is an integral part of India’s agricultural economy and plays a multifaceted role in providing livelihood support to the rural Population. Livestock is the main source of animal protein for the population. It is estimated that about 70 million rural households own livestock of one species or the other. Women constitute about 69% of workforce engaged in livestock sector. The resource-poor small and marginal farmers and landless labourers own majority of the livestock Resources. Hence Sustainable Development of the livestock sector would lead to more inclusive development and Empowerment of women

The National Livestock Policy facilitates better inter-state coordination in regulating the export and import of livestock and livestock products, feed and food safety, biosecurity and conservation of indigenous breeds, which are essential for development of livestock sector.

Status of Livestock in Himachal

Livestock is an integral to the economy of Himachal Pradesh. The contribution of major livestock products during the year 2015-16 was 12.83 lakh tonne of milk, 1,411 tonne of wool, 81.17 million eggs and 4,005 tonnes of meat which will likely to be of the order of 13.21 lakh tonne of milk, 1,475 tonnes of wool, 97.00 million eggs and 4,130 tonne of meat during 2016-17.

Livestock development programme attention is paid in the state by way of:

Animal Health & Disease control
Cattle Development.

Sheep Breeding and Development of Wool

Poultry Development.
Feed and Fodder Development.
Veterinary Education

Livestock Census.

Under Animal Health and Disease Control, 1 State level Veterinary Hospital, 9 Polyclinics, 48 Sub-Divisional Veterinary Hospitals, 320 Veterinary Hospitals.

Sheep rearing

For improving the quality of sheep and wool, Government Sheep Breeding Farms at Jeori (Shimla), Sarol (Chamba), Tal (Hamirpur), and Karachham (Kinnaur) are supplying improved sheep to the breeders of the State. Shepherd Insurance Scheme has been launched which is Centrally Sponsored scheme started during 2007-08 with the premium of 330.00 per annum.

Wool Procurement and Marketing Federation has been established with the main objective to promote the Growth and development of wool Industry in the State of Himachal Pradesh and to free wool growers from exploitation by the middleman/traders.

Dairy

Dairy production is an integral part of the Animal Husbandry. Upgradation of indigenous cattle is being carried out by cross breeding with Jersey and Holsten. In buffalo upgradation with Murral bull is being popularized. Artificial insemination with the latest technology of Deep Frozen Semen is being practised. During 2015-16, 13.00 lakh semen straws for cows and 3.64 lakh semen straws for buffaloes were produced by sperm station. Doodh Ganga Scheme has been launched in collaboration with NABARD in the State since 25th September,2009.

H.P. Milkfed is implementing dairy development activities in the State. The H.P. Milkfed has 895 milk producers Co-operative Societies. The total membership of these societies is 42,000 out of which 200 woman dairy co-operatives are also functioning.

Poultry

To develop poultry sector in Himachal Pradesh, department is running following poultry development schemes especially in rural areas of the State. Under Backyard Poultry Project 4 week old chicks of coloured Strain variety i.e. Chabro are supplied to the farmers of the State and One unit consists of 40-100 chicks. These chicks are produced at the two hatcheries i.e. Nahan and Sundernagar.

Major challenges

Shortage of Feed and Fodder: While the livestock population is increasing, the gap between the requirement and availability of feed and fodder is increasing primarily due to decreasing area under fodder cultivation and reduced availability of crop residues as fodder.
Low Productivity: Although India is a major producer of livestock products the Average productivity of livestock is lower compared to world average. Inadequate availability of feed and fodder, insufficient coverage through artificial insemination, low conception rates, non-availability of quality males for breeding, poor management practices, high mortality and morbidity losses due to diseases.
Livestock Health: A large number of infectious and metabolic diseases prevalent in Indian livestock have serious implication for animal productivity, export potential and safety/ quality of livestock products, and many of these diseases have zoonotic implications.
Livestock and Environment: Climate change and Global Warming may have serious implications to the livestock sector. These may be manifested in the form of heat Stress, loss of animal habitat especially in coastal areas, scarcity of quality feed and fodder.
Knowledge Gap: Most of the livestock producers being small and marginal farmers, their capacity to mobilize resources required to absorb the latest technologies developed by research institutions are limited.
Inadequate Infrastructure-2/”>INFRASTRUCTURE for Marketing, Processing and Value Addition: The livestock sector is handicapped due to inadequate marketing and processing infrastructure as a result of which the primary producers do not get remunerative prices most of the times.

Many of these challenges like animal diseases, shortage of feed and fodder and dissemination of technology would require an appropriate national strategy to address these with support of the State Governments.

LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY(in thousands) in HP

Category 1997 2003* 2007* 2012*

Livestock:

Cattle 2,002 2,196 2,269 2,149
Buffaloes 652 773 762 716
Sheep 909 906 901 805
Goats 947 1,116 1,241 1,119
Horses and ponies 22 17 13 15
Mules and donkeys 31 33 26 31
Pigs 5 3 2 5

Total-Livestock 4571 5,046 5,216 4,844

Poultry 385 764 809 1,104

Animal husbandry is the branch of agriculture concerned with the raising of livestock. It is a major economic activity in Himachal Pradesh, accounting for about 10% of the state’s gross domestic product. The state has a large livestock population, with over 10 million animals, including cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, pigs, and poultry.

Animal husbandry has been practiced in Himachal Pradesh for centuries. The earliest evidence of animal husbandry in the state dates back to the Indus Valley Civilization. During this period, people domesticated cattle, buffalo, sheep, and goats. Animal husbandry continued to be an important part of the economy during the Gupta and Kushan periods. In the 10th century, the state was invaded by the Turks, who brought with them new breeds of animals, such as horses and camels. Animal husbandry continued to be an important part of the economy during the Mughal period. In the 18th century, the state was invaded by the Gurkhas, who also brought with them new breeds of animals. Animal husbandry continued to be an important part of the economy during the British Raj. In the 20th century, the state was divided into several princely states. Animal husbandry continued to be an important part of the economy during the post-independence period. In the 1970s, the State Government started a number of programs to promote animal husbandry. These programs have helped to increase the livestock population and improve the Quality Of Life of the people.

The main challenges facing animal husbandry in Himachal Pradesh are:

Lack of quality feed and fodder
Lack of veterinary care
Lack of marketing facilities
Lack of awareness about modern animal husbandry practices

The main opportunities for animal husbandry in Himachal Pradesh are:

Increasing demand for meat and milk
Increasing demand for wool and hides
Increasing demand for manure
Increasing demand for tourism

The future prospects for animal husbandry in Himachal Pradesh are bright. The state has a number of advantages, such as a favorable climate, a large livestock population, and a government that is committed to promoting animal husbandry. With the right policies and investments, animal husbandry can play a major role in the Economic Development of the state.

The state government has been promoting animal husbandry through a number of programs. These programs have helped to increase the livestock population and improve the quality of life of the people. The state government has also been promoting the development of dairy cooperatives and the marketing of livestock products.

The main challenges facing animal husbandry in Himachal Pradesh are:

Lack of quality feed and fodder: The state has a mountainous terrain and the climate is not suitable for growing all types of fodder. This has led to a shortage of quality feed and fodder, which has affected the productivity of livestock.
Lack of veterinary care: There is a shortage of veterinary doctors and para-veterinarians in the state. This has led to a shortage of veterinary care, which has affected the health of livestock.
Lack of marketing facilities: There is a lack of marketing facilities for livestock products. This has led to low prices for livestock products, which has affected the income of farmers.
Lack of awareness about modern animal husbandry practices: There is a lack of awareness about modern animal husbandry practices among farmers. This has led to low productivity of livestock.

The main opportunities for animal husbandry in Himachal Pradesh are:

Increasing demand for meat and milk: The demand for meat and milk is increasing in the state. This is due to the increasing population and the changing lifestyle of people.
Increasing demand for wool and hides: The demand for wool and hides is increasing in the state. This is due to the increasing demand for woolen garments and leather products.
Increasing demand for manure: The demand for manure is increasing in the state. This is due to the increasing demand for Organic Farming.
Increasing demand for tourism: The demand for tourism is increasing in the state. This has led to an increase in the demand for livestock products, such as milk, meat, and wool.

What is animal husbandry?

Animal husbandry is the care, breeding, and use of animals, especially domestic ones. It is a branch of agriculture concerned with the raising of livestock.

What are the benefits of animal husbandry?

Animal husbandry provides a number of benefits, including:

Food: Animals provide us with meat, milk, eggs, and other food products.
Fiber: Animals provide us with wool, fur, and leather.
Labor: Animals can be used for labor, such as pulling plows or carrying loads.
Manure: Animal manure can be used as fertilizer to improve crop yields.
Companionship: Animals can provide companionship and emotional support.

What are the challenges of animal husbandry?

Animal husbandry also faces a number of challenges, including:

Disease: Animals can be susceptible to a variety of diseases, which can spread to humans.
Overpopulation: Animal populations can grow too large, which can damage the environment.
Cruelty: Animals can be mistreated, which can lead to suffering and death.
Pollution: Animal agriculture can contribute to pollution of air, water, and land.

What are the ethical considerations of animal husbandry?

There are a number of ethical considerations to consider when it comes to animal husbandry, including:

The treatment of animals: Animals should be treated humanely and should not be subjected to cruelty.
The use of animals for food: Some people believe that it is wrong to eat meat, while others believe that it is acceptable as long as the animals are raised and slaughtered humanely.
The use of animals for research: Animals are often used in scientific research, which can be controversial.
The use of animals for entertainment: Animals are sometimes used in circuses, zoos, and other forms of entertainment, which can also be controversial.

What are the environmental impacts of animal husbandry?

Animal agriculture is a major contributor to Climate Change, Water Pollution, and land degradation. It is also a major source of greenhouse gases, such as methane and nitrous oxide.

What are the alternatives to animal husbandry?

There are a number of alternatives to animal husbandry, including:

Plant-based diets: Plant-based diets can provide all the nutrients that humans need without the need to raise animals.
In vitro meat: In vitro meat is meat that is grown in a laboratory, without the need to raise animals.
Synthetic milk: Synthetic milk is milk that is made from Plants or other non-animal sources.
Vegan leather: Vegan leather is leather that is made from plants or other non-animal sources.

What is the future of animal husbandry?

The future of animal husbandry is uncertain. The challenges facing animal husbandry, such as disease, overpopulation, cruelty, and pollution, are likely to become more severe in the future. The ethical considerations of animal husbandry are also likely to become more important. As a result, it is possible that animal husbandry will decline in the future, as people turn to alternative sources of food, fiber, and labor.

Which of the following is not a type of animal husbandry?
(A) Dairy farming
(B) Poultry farming
(C) Sheep farming
(D) Animal breeding
Which of the following is the most common type of animal husbandry in Himachal Pradesh?
(A) Dairy farming
(B) Poultry farming
(C) Sheep farming
(D) Animal breeding
Which of the following is the main reason for the popularity of dairy farming in Himachal Pradesh?
(A) The state has a favorable climate for dairy farming.
(B) The state has a large population of cattle.
(C) The state has a long tradition of dairy farming.
(D) All of the above.
Which of the following is the main breed of cattle found in Himachal Pradesh?
(A) Sahiwal
(B) Gir
(C) Tharparkar
(D) Karan Friesian
Which of the following is the main product of dairy farming in Himachal Pradesh?
(A) Milk
(B) Butter
(C) Cheese
(D) All of the above.
Which of the following is the main reason for the popularity of poultry farming in Himachal Pradesh?
(A) The state has a favorable climate for poultry farming.
(B) The state has a large population of poultry.
(C) The state has a long tradition of poultry farming.
(D) All of the above.
Which of the following is the main breed of chicken found in Himachal Pradesh?
(A) White Leghorn
(B) Rhode Island Red
(C) Australorp
(D) Plymouth Rock
Which of the following is the main product of poultry farming in Himachal Pradesh?
(A) Eggs
(B) Chicken meat
(C) Both eggs and chicken meat
(D) None of the above.
Which of the following is the main reason for the popularity of sheep farming in Himachal Pradesh?
(A) The state has a favorable climate for sheep farming.
(B) The state has a large population of sheep.
(C) The state has a long tradition of sheep farming.
(D) All of the above.
Which of the following is the main breed of sheep found in Himachal Pradesh?
(A) Pashmina
(B) Gaddi
(C) Nali
(D) Marwari
Which of the following is the main product of sheep farming in Himachal Pradesh?
(A) Wool
(B) Meat
(C) Both wool and meat
(D) None of the above.
Which of the following is the main reason for the popularity of animal breeding in Himachal Pradesh?
(A) The state has a favorable climate for animal breeding.
(B) The state has a large population of animals.
(C) The state has a long tradition of animal breeding.
(D) All of the above.
Which of the following is the main goal of animal breeding?
(A) To improve the quality of livestock.
(B) To increase the production of livestock products.
(C) To both improve the quality and increase the production of livestock products.
(D) None of the above.
Which of the following is the main method of animal breeding?
(A) Artificial insemination
(B) Natural breeding
(C) Both artificial insemination and natural breeding
(D) None of the above.
Which of the following is the main advantage of artificial insemination?
(A) It allows for the selection of superior sires.
(B) It allows for the control of breeding.
(C) It allows for the production of disease-free animals.
(D) All of the above.
Which of the following is the main disadvantage of artificial insemination?
(A) It is expensive.
(B) It requires specialized equipment and training.
(C) It can be difficult to find a suitable sire.
(D) All of the above.
Which of the following is the main advantage of natural breeding?
(A) It is less expensive than artificial insemination.
(B) It does not require specialized equipment or training.
(C) It is easier to find a suitable sire.
(D) All of the above.
Which of the following is the main disadvantage of natural breeding?
(A) It is less precise than artificial insemination.
(B) It is more difficult to control breeding.
(C) It is more likely to produce disease-