Government launches 21st livestock census

Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh launched the 21st Livestock Census in New Delhi, set to run until February 2025

Team RuralVoice

Published: Oct 25, 2024 - 19:01 Updated: Oct 25, 2024 - 19:26

Government launches 21st livestock census

Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, Rajiv Ranjan Singh, launched the 21st Livestock Census in New Delhi on Friday, which will be conducted until February 2025. Representatives from all 36 States and Union Territories were present on the occasion, reflecting the national significance of this initiative. The 21st Livestock Census will cover over 30 crore households across all States and Union Territories, including nomadic communities and pastoralists, ensuring that the diversity of India’s livestock practices is captured. The census will focus on critical areas such as gender roles in livestock rearing, breed management, animal health, and productivity.

Along with this, the Union Minister also launched the Rs 210 crore ($25 million) Pandemic Fund Project titled 'Animal Health Security Strengthening in India for Pandemic Preparedness and Response.' The initiative, supported by the G20 Pandemic Fund, aims to enhance disease surveillance and control zoonotic diseases."

Rajiv Ranjan Singh emphasized the critical role the Livestock Census plays in shaping policies that ensure the sustainable growth of India’s livestock sector. He noted, “India’s livestock sector is not only a major contributor to our rural economy but also a significant source of nutrition, employment, and income for millions of households. The 21st Livestock Census will provide us with updated data on the livestock population, which will allow the government to address key issues like disease control, breed improvement, and rural livelihoods. With the digital advancements introduced in this census, we are confident that the data collected will be more accurate, timely, and comprehensive than ever before.”

He also highlighted the innovations brought in this census, such as a mobile application for data collection and real-time monitoring through a web-based dashboard, marking a significant step toward modernizing data collection methodologies.

Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, George Kurian, emphasized the sector's vital role in GDP contribution and job creation, especially in rural areas. He noted, “Livestock supports the livelihoods of over 2.1 crore people and is essential to India’s agricultural economy. The data collected from the 21st Livestock Census will help us pinpoint areas where we can intervene to enhance rural livelihoods and improve animal health.”

Alka Upadhyay, Secretary of DAHD, detailed the extensive preparations for the census launch. “We have trained over one lakh field personnel, conducted regional and state-level training sessions, and established a strong digital infrastructure to ensure seamless and accurate data collection. The innovations in this census, including offline data capture, breed identification through images, and real-time monitoring, will guarantee that this initiative runs efficiently across India.