West Bengal Livestock | WBCS Preparation: All Subjects - WBCS (West Bengal) PDF Download

In rural areas of West Bengal, animal husbandry serves as a supplementary source of income for families and offers meaningful employment opportunities, especially for landless laborers, small-scale, and marginal farmers. The predominant livelihood approach in the region involves a mixed crop-livestock farming system. Animal husbandry, classified as part of agriculture and allied activities in the primary sector, encompasses the rearing of livestock, with a significant focus on cattle.

Livestock in West Bengal 

The livestock sector in Bengal contributes approximately 4.41% to the State's Domestic Product. Livestock, including cows, buffaloes, pigs, poultry, goats, and sheep, is raised to meet the demand for milk, meat, and eggs. As of the Livestock Census 2019, West Bengal has a total livestock population of 37.4 million, including 19.0 million cattle, 16.28 million goats, and 77.3 million poultry. Notable cattle breeds in the state include Siri cattle, Sahiwal cattle, Gir cattle, Crossbred cattle, and Murrah buffalo. State-run cattle farms are situated in various locations, with ongoing developments in both the public and private sectors.

• Goat
  The Black Bengal Goat, renowned for its high-quality meat and skin, is found in goat farms in Kalyani (Nadia), Bishnupur (Bankura), Kotulpur (Bankura), and Suri (Birbhum).
• Sheep
  Two varieties, Garole sheep and Banpala sheep, are raised in sheep farms at Kalyani (Nadia), Lokpur (Bankura), and Rangitpur (Bankura).
• Pigs
  The primary breeding variety, Ghungroo, is raised in a pig farm located at Harringhata.

Poultry Production in West Bengal

Poultry production in West Bengal is significant, with upgraded poultry farms in various locations. The state plays a vital role in the national egg production, contributing 13%, although it imports eggs from Andhra Pradesh.

Dairy Sector in West Bengal

In the dairy sector, West Bengal faces a per capita milk availability of 161 grams per day, lower than the national average of 337 grams per day. Bardhaman has the highest availability, while South Dinajpur has the lowest. Despite an annual production of about 4.9 million tonnes of milk, only 2% is supplied by the organized sector, primarily the government. This shortfall is compensated by the unorganized private sector.
One notable initiative is the HIMUL (Himalayan Cooperative Milk Producer’s Union Limited), a dairy cooperative in North Bengal consisting of smaller cooperative societies. Located at Matigara near Siliguri, HIMUL receives milk supplies from farmers in Ghoom, Bijanbari, Sukhiapokhri, and Lava in Darjeeling.

Animal Resources Development Departments in West Bengal 

The state of West Bengal has a vast network to take care of the various aspects of animal husbandry. Institutions working under this department are:
 
The state has 185 veternary hospitals and many animal health centres. In additon it runs 3 artificial insemination centres in the state. 

Fisheries in West Bengal 

West Bengal's Animal Resources Development Department oversees various aspects of animal husbandry through its extensive network. The department operates 185 veterinary hospitals, numerous animal health centers, and three artificial insemination centers within the state.
When it comes to fisheries, West Bengal ranks as the second-highest fish producer, following Andhra Pradesh, with the Nadia district being the leading producer of freshwater fishes. The fisheries sector is categorized into Freshwater Fisheries, covering ponds, rivers, canals, reservoirs, and lakes, and Marine Fishery, conducted in offshore areas, deep seas, delta regions, Sundarban estuaries, and Oxbow lakes in Southern Bengal.
(i) Fresh Water Fisheries
Freshwater fisheries include pisciculture in reservoirs and multi-purpose projects, yielding fishes such as Rohu, Katla, Murrels, Prawns, Cat Fish, and Mullets. Marine Fishery, on the other hand, involves activities in offshore, deep sea areas, Sundarban estuaries, and Oxbow lakes, with popular varieties like Pomfret, Hilsa, Bhetki, Prawn, and Tapsi. Fishing significantly contributes to the livelihoods of those residing in the Sundarbans.
(ii) Marine Fishery 
It is done in off-shore, deep sea areas delta regions, estuaries of Sundarban and Oxbow lakes of Southern Bengal. Pomfret, Hilsa, Bhetki, Prawn and Tapsi are the popular varieties of fishes reared. Fishing is the greatest source of livelihood of people living in Sundarbans.  
West Bengal boasts diverse fishery resources, ranging from coastal to cold-water aquatic environments. While the state imports requirements from Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, it houses the largest fishery, training, and skill development center at Barasagar Dighi Model Fish Farms in Malda. Other research centers for fisheries are located in Kulia (Kalyani), Junput (East Midnapore), Namkhana, and Digha.

Schemes and Initiatives of State Government

• To promote animal husbandry as an alternative income source, the State Government has implemented various initiatives. The West Bengal Cooperative Milk Producers Federation Limited, formed in 1983, operates 16 milk unions, including Mother Diary (Kolkata), Himal Dairy (Darjeeling), Feeder Dairy (Murshidabad), and Metro Dairy (North 24 Parganas). The West Bengal Poultry Federation, established in 2009, facilitates broiler poultry infrastructure and organizes the International Poultry Fair in Kolkata annually.
• Additional initiatives include the distribution of chicks/ducklings to women Self-Help Groups and BPL families, the provision of fodder farms like Harringhata and Kalyani farms, animal health camps, and entrepreneurship development camps in animal husbandry.
• Under the West Bengal Fisheries Policy 2014, the State Government leases land and water resources on favorable terms, provides consultancy services from ICAR and CMFRI for inland and marine fisheries, and aims to establish fishermen’s cooperative societies and Self-Help Groups.
• The Bishes Go-Sampad Bikash Abhiyan scheme, launched by the State Government, offers health coverage, nutrition support, artificial insemination facilities, semen banks, etc., across different district blocks. Plans are in place to set up veterinary institutes and expand animal farms.
• In response to the declining trend of Hilsa catch, a dedicated Hilsa Conservation and Research Centre (HCRC) has been established at Sultanpur, Diamond Harbour.