Govt Launches 21st Livestock Census Covering 30 Crore Households Empowering Rural Economy with Digital Innovations

On October 25, 2024, Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, Rajiv Ranjan Singh (alias Lalan Singh), launched India’s 21st Livestock Census in New Delhi. The inauguration was attended by Ministers of State Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel and George Kurian, alongside G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant, and senior officials from the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD). Representatives from all 36 States and Union Territories were also present.  

In his address, Minister Singh highlighted the Livestock Census as a foundational tool for policy-making in the livestock sector, underscoring its role in supporting rural economies and providing vital nutrition and employment to millions of Indians. He highlighted, “India’s livestock sector significantly contributes to the rural economy and is a critical source of income for millions. The 21st Livestock Census will enable us to address essential issues like disease control and breed improvement.” He further pointed out the integration of digital technology in this year’s census, which features a mobile app for data collection and real-time monitoring through a web-based dashboard, aiming to improve accuracy and efficiency.

Minister of State Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel applauded the DAHD’s thorough preparation, noting the census as a strategic initiative that impacts food security, poverty reduction, and rural development. Baghel remarked that the census's focus on gender roles in livestock rearing and the inclusion of real-time data will provide the government with fresh insights to enhance policy effectiveness.

Minister of State George Kurian also emphasized the sector's impact on GDP and rural livelihoods, with over 2.1 crore Indians dependent on livestock for income. He highlighted the census’s role in identifying regions requiring targeted interventions to support rural economies and improve animal health.

Adding an international perspective, Amitabh Kant stressed the importance of aligning India’s livestock sector with global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He noted, “This census will help identify ways to boost productivity, enhance animal health, and support rural communities, ensuring food security aligned with SDGs.” The census aligns with India’s efforts to achieve global best practices, driving sustainable growth in the livestock sector.

Dr. V.K. Paul, Member (Health) of NITI Aayog, reiterated that the census represents India’s commitment to understanding and developing its livestock sector. He underscored the importance of comprehensive data collection for addressing health and sustainability issues, aiming to build a robust animal husbandry sector that supports India’s nutritional and economic goals.

Secretary of DAHD, Alka Upadhyay, outlined the preparations for this extensive exercise, revealing that over one lakh field personnel have been trained. Innovations in data collection, such as offline data capture and breed identification through images, will facilitate a seamless census across 30 crore households nationwide.

This comprehensive approach, covering diverse livestock practices and communities, aims to address gender roles, breed management, and animal health and productivity, creating a transformative impact on India’s livestock policies and rural livelihoods.