Demographic Distribution of Livestock and Role in the Indian Economy

Demographic Distribution:

Cattle: India has the largest cattle population in the world. States like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Bihar have significant cattle populations.

Milk-per capita 459 grams(total milk production in India 230MT)-1st Rank in world

Buffalo: India also leads in buffalo population, with Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Andhra Pradesh having the highest numbers. Buffaloes are primarily used for milk production.

Meat –per capita 7.1 kg/annum (total in India 9.7 MT)-8^th Rank

Sheep: Concentrated mainly in arid and semi-arid regions such as Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka. They are valued for wool, meat (mutton), and milk.

Wool– total wool in india 33.6 million kg

Goats: Widely distributed across the country, with major populations in West Bengal, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh. Goats are important for meat, milk, and hide.
Poultry: Poultry farming is growing rapidly, with major hubs in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and West Bengal. It plays a key role in egg and meat production.

Egg –per capita 526egg/annum (total egg in india 138.3 billion)-3rd Rank

Role in the Indian Economy:

Contribution to GDP: Livestock contributes around 4% to the national GDP and about 25% to the agricultural GDP. The dairy sector alone contributes significantly due to India being the largest producer of milk globally.(it changes)
Employment: The livestock sector provides direct employment to about 8.8% of the population. It is crucial for small and marginal farmers who rely on livestock as a primary or supplementary income source. (it changes)
Food Security: Livestock products such as milk, eggs, and meat are essential components of the Indian diet, contributing to nutritional security.
Exports: India is a major exporter of meat, particularly buffalo meat, and other animal products such as leather and wool, contributing to foreign exchange earnings.

Short Point-Wise Notes:

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