Animal Husbandry | APPSC State Specific Preparation Course - APPSC (Andhra Pradesh) PDF Download

Introduction

• Since ancient times, human prosperity has been closely connected to livestock wealth. The late U.N. Dhebar aptly remarked that "To think of Rural Development without Livestock Improvement is to think of Modern Industrialization without Power Stations."
• In 1892, the Civil Veterinary Department was established in the composite Madras State, later renamed as the Animal Husbandry Department in 1948. Initially focused on health care, it has since evolved to encompass various schemes for the holistic growth of the livestock sector.
• Andhra Pradesh boasts rich livestock resources, playing a pivotal role in the socio-economic and cultural fabric of the state.

Animal Husbandry Activities in Andhra Pradesh

• Dairy Farming
• Sheep Farming
• Goat Farming
• Poultry Farming
• Emu Farming
• Rabbit Farming
• Quail Farming
• Turkey Farming
• Piggery

Growth of the Sector

Over 55 years, the Animal Husbandry Sector in Andhra Pradesh has experienced remarkable growth. Through various five-year plans, efforts have been directed towards increasing livestock product outputs like milk, meat, and eggs, along with disease control and healthcare services. This has not only uplifted the rural economy but also positioned the state as a leader in the Livestock Sector nationally.

• Poultry and Egg Production: Andhra Pradesh has emerged as the top producer of poultry and eggs in the country, showcasing significant progress from backyard poultry setups to a thriving industry generating millions of eggs annually.
• Milk Production: The state has witnessed a substantial increase in milk production, highlighting a shift from 18.08 lakh tonnes in 1979-80 to approximately 86.24 lakh tonnes presently.
• Meat Production: Meat production has also seen a noteworthy rise, escalating from 0.96 lakh tonnes in 1979-80 to 4.57 lakh tonnes, attributing this growth to effective veterinary and animal husbandry services provided over the years.

Instrument of Socio-Economic Development

• The Livestock Development sector in Andhra Pradesh plays a crucial role in driving socio-economic progress by offering economic opportunities, employment, and sustenance to numerous underprivileged segments, particularly small and marginal farmers as well as landless individuals.
• About 62% of the total milk production in the state is contributed by small and marginal farmers and landless poor who own 70% of the livestock. Women significantly contribute to about 60% of the labor in livestock farming.
• Rural shepherds possess 90% of the sheep population, and the piggery sector is predominantly controlled by weaker sections. This underscores how the livestock industry acts as a catalyst for socio-economic transformation and is a key focus area for rural development and poverty alleviation initiatives.

Abundant Livestock Wealth

• Andhra Pradesh boasts significant livestock resources, including renowned breeds like the Ongole Cattle and Aseel poultry, which have made substantial contributions to the global broiler breeds development. The Nellore breed of sheep from the state is particularly esteemed for its high-quality mutton production.
• Currently, Andhra Pradesh leads in poultry (1005.80 lakhs) and sheep population (210.15 lakhs). It ranks second in Buffalo population (107.68 lakhs), seventh in goat population (64.27 lakhs), and eighth in cattle (94.24 lakhs) and pig population (5.4.9 lakhs) across the country.

Government Schemes for Animal Husbandry Development

• Sunandini scheme caters specifically to SC and ST communities to support their animal husbandry endeavors.
• Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna aids in the overall advancement of agriculture, including animal husbandry.
• The Rural Backyard Poultry scheme aims to promote small-scale poultry farming in rural areas, enhancing livelihoods.

Organizations Engaged in Animal Welfare Activities in Andhra Pradesh

• Various organizations in Andhra Pradesh are dedicated to animal welfare, ensuring the well-being of livestock and promoting responsible practices in the sector.

Key Challenges in Andhra Pradesh Livestock Sector

• Low Productivity: While Andhra Pradesh ranks 5th in milk production nationally, the average productivity per animal is notably low, standing at the 13th position, with only 4.67kg/day. This hampers the overall output of the sector.
• No Efforts to Conserve Indigenous Livestock Breeds: The state has not taken significant steps to preserve native breeds like Ongole and Punganur. The absence of proper processing infrastructure results in fluctuating prices for livestock products, especially during market gluts.
• Inadequate Attention to Feed and Fodder: Insufficient focus on enhancing feed and fodder availability, especially noticeable during regular seasons, impacts the nutritional intake of livestock, affecting their health and productivity.
• Degeneration of Common Property Resources: Neglect of common resources has led to their deterioration, posing challenges for the sustainable management of livestock and related activities.
• Lack of Vaccines for Important Diseases: The inadequate development and availability of vaccines for economically significant diseases such as Blue Tongue and Foot Rot in sheep and goats contribute to substantial losses for farmers.

Impact of Andhra Pradesh Bifurcation on Livestock Sector

• Following the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, the newly formed state faced challenges in the livestock sector due to the transfer of key institutions to Telangana. 
• Institutions like the Veterinary Biological Research Institute and various national research centers moving away have left Andhra Pradesh without essential facilities for livestock vaccine production and disease diagnostics.

Way Forward

• The challenge of attaining food and nutritional security through livestock sources persists amidst decreasing livestock numbers, land degradation, climate change impacts, growing human population, ensuring affordable prices for consumers, and profitable returns for producers.
• Evaluation of past initiatives is crucial, necessitating strategic realignment to boost animal productivity.

Goal and Objectives

• Targeted growth rates include 8% in Milk Production, 10% in Meat Production, 5% in Egg Production, and an overall growth rate of 8-10% from the Livestock Sector by the end of the 12th Five Year Plan.

Sector-wise Objectives

Dairy Sector

• Breed enhancement through extensive crossbreeding, upgrading local buffaloes with Murrah, and selective breeding in indigenous cattle like Ongole.
• Implementation of significant frozen semen production, establishing Embryo Transfer (ET) technology facilities.
• Initiation of a pilot project importing and introducing sexed semen from high-quality bulls in selected farms to enhance production.
• Promotion of commercial dairy farming in areas surrounding Smart Cities such as Vijayawada, Guntur, Visakhapatnam, Rajahmundry, Kakinada, Tirupathi, Kurnool, North Coastal, and Rayalaseema Districts of Andhra Pradesh.

Egg Sector

• Government is backing private investment through regulatory reform, infrastructure provision, and active sector promotion.
• Regulatory reform involves simplifying procedures, enabling closer collaboration between large players and farmers, and facilitating exports.
• Special policies are being implemented to enable contract farming, simplify land acquisition, export procedures, and rationalize sales tax on processed food.
• Initiative aimed at benefiting rural and tribal farmers through promoting backyard poultry.

Meat Sector

• Mass vaccination of sheep & goat for diseases like PPR, Entero-toxaemia, and Sheep Pox.
• De-worming practices introduced to enhance weight gain in livestock.
• Focus on Meat Breeds by encouraging the exchange of breeding rams among farmers to prevent inbreeding issues.
• Emphasis on Quality and Hygienic Meat Production by promoting rural slaughterhouses and providing butcher training.
• Efforts in Process Development and Technology Upgradation to utilize animal byproducts effectively.
• Promotion of Marketing Agencies to facilitate sheep/goat trade in cooperative/PPP mode.