Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh Underscores Livestock Sector's Importance; Launches Mobile App for 21st Livestock Data Collection

Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Rajiv Ranjan Singh, also known as Lalan Singh, inaugurated a crucial workshop today on June 25, 2024, at Vigyan Bhawan, marking a major step towards improving India's livestock industry. The event aimed to prepare States and Union Territories (UTs) for the upcoming 21st Livestock Census. The workshop also saw the launch of a new mobile application specifically designed for data collection in the census. Ministers of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel and George Kurian, were also present at the event.

Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh highlighted the vital role of the livestock sector in strengthening India's economy and food security. He called for precise planning and execution of the census, noting that the data collected would be instrumental in forming future strategies and addressing the sector's challenges. He highlighted that the workshop's goal was to ensure a coordinated and efficient approach to the census, scheduled to take place from September to December 2024.

Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel spoke on the necessity of thorough training and capacity building at the grassroots level. He commended the department for organizing the strategic workshop and encouraged participants to fully engage in the training sessions to enhance their skills and knowledge.

George Kurian focused on the integration of sustainable practices within the livestock sector. He mentioned that the data from the census would contribute to the National Indicator Framework of Sustainable Development Goals, aligning with broader national and global sustainability objectives.

Alka Upadhyaya, Secretary of the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, underscored the workshop's importance in her address. She highlighted the department's dedication to using technology for accurate and efficient data collection. Upadhyaya stressed the collective responsibility of all stakeholders to ensure the census's success, urging the adoption of the latest technologies.

The workshop included detailed sessions on the methodologies and guidelines for the 21st Livestock Census. Participants received training on the newly launched mobile application and dashboard software, with an open house discussion to address any queries and concerns. The Registrar General of India acknowledged the comprehensive ecosystem developed for the census.

Organized by the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, the workshop featured a series of informative sessions. The Animal Husbandry Statistics Division provided an overview of the 21st Livestock Census, followed by a detailed presentation from the ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR) on the breed details of species to be covered. Accurate breed identification was highlighted as crucial for producing precise statistics for various livestock sector programs and for the National Indicator Framework (NIF) of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

This workshop marks a crucial step in ensuring the successful implementation of the 21st Livestock Census, which is set to significantly impact future policies and programs in India's Animal Husbandry sector.