Counting of animals across the country will start in September, 1 lakh employees will count 225 breeds; know it's importance

Preparations for the country's livestock census have progressed. This time, it has decided to include about 225 types of species in the count. This number was 184 in the last count. Livestock and poultry birds are enumerated in the country once every five years since the year 1919-20.

This time it is the 21st census, in which for the first time all breeds have to be counted with accurate and proper identification. It will also provide data that will be useful in achieving the goals of economic development of the country through livestock. Livestock is said to be essential even for food security.

This time, in the livestock census to be conducted from September to December, there will be involvement of nearly one lakh employees of Centres and states, which will include veterinarians. According to the National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources, the total number of species included in the livestock census will be 212 based on registration.

The last time, it was 184 recognized Indian-foreign and hybrid breeds of 19 species whose total number was about 53.68 crores. The animal census is proposed to be carried out simultaneously in all parts of the country during September-December this year. Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha, Gujarat, and Arunachal have been selected for the pilot survey.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Animal Husbandry is informing the nodal officers of various states as master trainers about the software related to the census and the method of correct identification of animal breeds. Later, they will train the employees engaged in the livestock census work in their respective districts.

In the livestock census, all households, enterprises, and institutions are covered for breed-wise counting of animals.

For the first time in 2019, counting through tablets was used. For the first time, there was an error in counting through an Android app, as it showed the accurate identification of breeds. Now more attention is paid towards correct counting. It is being said that correct counting is necessary for attaining the goals of sustainable development of the livestock sector.

It also has a large contribution to the rural economy. It rose to a total growth rate of about 7.93 percent with an overall market size of Rs 15.63 lakh crore. Therefore, information on various breeds is very essential and could help policymakers, agricultural experts, traders, entrepreneurs, and industries involved in dairying.

Some such conclusions come through counting, which shows the number of various breeds of animals and their status, hence helping in their genetic improvement for their products and other purposes.

The livestock census is a door-to-door field operation where livestock-related data from each household has to be collected, and an actual counting of domestic animals and birds is carried out to assess the total livestock wealth of the country. This census would be conducted in all villages and urban wards. It will count the species of animals present in households and enterprises like buffalo, Mithun, yak, sheep, goat, horse, donkey, pony, mule, pig, dog, camel, rabbit, and elephant breeds. Other than this, poultry birds will be counted according to habitat, age, sex, and breed-like chicken and duck; other poultry birds.