AN ECONOMIC APPRAISAL OF LIVESTOCK SECTOR IN INDIA

Apart from significantly contributing to Indian economy, livestock sector plays an important role in the socio-economic development of rural households. Hence, the study analysed the performance of livestock sector with special focus on its population, production and trade. It has been found that marginal farm households maintain 50 per cent of the livestock population in India. This sector is predominantly managed by women. With tremendous increase in the production of various products, livestock sector has contributed 25 per cent of value to agriculture and allied activities. Though livestock exports have increased manifold during the past two decades, they are concentrated to very few countries with high instability. Among different products, buffalo meat, poultry products and dairy products have a strong hold on India’s livestock exports.