“The 21st Livestock Census, launched in India, is set to revolutionize farmer welfare programs by providing precise data on 16 livestock species across 30 crore households. Conducted from October 2024 to February 2025, this digitized survey will shape policies, enhance animal health security, and boost rural livelihoods, with results expected by July 2025.”
Livestock Census Drives Farmer Support Programs
The 21st Livestock Census, a quinquennial exercise launched in October 2024, is poised to transform India’s livestock sector by delivering critical data to enhance farmer welfare programs. Conducted across 30 crore households, the survey covers 16 species, including cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, and poultry, capturing details on breed, age, and health. With a budget of ₹419 crore, the census employs 87,000 enumerators and 17,000 supervisors using a mobile app for real-time data collection, a significant upgrade from the 2019 digital census.
Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, Rajiv Ranjan Singh, emphasized the census’s role in shaping policies for sustainable livestock growth. The data will inform feed and vaccine production, addressing the needs of India’s vast livestock-dependent population. The sector, contributing 5.5% to the nation’s GDP and 30% to agricultural gross value added, supports millions of rural households. In Haryana, for instance, annual milk production has reached 119.65 lakh tonnes, with per capita milk availability at 1,098 grams—double the national average.
The census also aligns with initiatives like the ₹200 crore animal health security program and a $25 million Pandemic Fund Project to combat diseases like Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Brucellosis, targeted for control by 2025 and eradication by 2030. These efforts aim to safeguard livestock, a key income source for farmers, especially post-COVID, as many turned to animal rearing due to job losses and reverse migration.
Haryana’s robust veterinary infrastructure, including 1,079 hospitals and 70 mobile units, exemplifies regional commitment to livestock welfare. The census will further refine such systems by providing granular data on dairy equipment and stray animals, ensuring targeted interventions. However, challenges like app connectivity issues in low-network areas highlight the need for improved digital infrastructure.
By July 2025, the census results are expected to offer a comprehensive view of India’s livestock landscape, enabling precise policy formulation. This will bolster schemes like the Livestock Insurance Scheme and Dairy Sahakar Scheme, enhancing economic stability for small and marginal farmers.
Disclaimer: This article is based on reports and information sourced from the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, news publications, and web sources. Data is subject to change as the census progresses.