20th Livestock Census

Shashank Raj Gupta

Question: As per the 20th Livestock Census done by the government, what is the total number of desi (native) breed of cows in India?
(a) 4.81 crores
(b) 4.85 crores
(c) 5 crores
(d) 4.50 crores
Answer: (b)
Related facts:

  • As per the 20th Livestock Census 2019 report released on October 16 2019, there are 4.85 crores desi breed of cows in India.
  • The Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying under Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying attributes critical importance to livestock and to the related to livestock, as they are the vital component of rural economy.
  • The Livestock Census is the main source of livestock data in the country collecting up-to-date and accurate data.
  • The livestock census is conducted across the country periodically since 1919. The census usually covers all domesticated animals and head counts of these animals are taken.
  • So far, 19 Livestock Censuses were conducted in participation with State Governments and UT Administrations. The 20th Livestock Census was launched during the month of October, 2018.
  • The 20th Livestock Census was carried out in about 6.6 lakhs villages and 89 thousand urban wards across the country covering more than 27 Crores of Households and Non Household.

Some of the key outcomes of the 20th Livestock Census:

  • The total Livestock population is 535.78 million in the country showing an increase of 4.6% over Livestock Census2012.
  • Total Bovine population (Cattle, Buffalo, Mithun and Yak) is 302.79 Million in 2019 which shows an increase of 1.0% over the previous census.
  • The total number of cattle in the country is 192.49 million in 2019 showing an increase of 0.8 % over previous Census.
  • The Female Cattle (Cows population) is 145.12 million, increased by 18.0% over the previous census (2012).
  • There is a decline of 6 % in the total Indigenous (both descript and non-descript) Cattle population over the previous census. However, the pace of decline of Indigenous Cattle population during 2012-2019 is much lesser as compared to 2007-12 which was about 9%.
  • The total buffaloes in the country are 109.85 Million showing an increase of about 1.0% over previous Census. 
  • The total milch animals (in-milk and dry) in cows and buffaloes are 125.34 Million, an increase of 6.0 % over the previous census.
  • The collection and availability of up-to-date and accurate data in the country is 74.26 Million in 2019, increased by 14.1% over previous Census. 
  • The Goat population in the country in 2019 is 148.88 Million showing an increase of 10.1% over the previous census.
  • The total Pigs in the country are 9.06 Million in the current Census, declined by 12.03% over the previous Census.
  • The total Horses and Ponies in the country are 3.4 Lakhs in 2019, decreased by 45.6% over previous Census.
  • The total Poultry in the country is 851.81 Million in 2019, increased by 16.8% over previous Census.

Links:
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/foreign-milch-cows-grow-32-while-no-growth-in-desi-milk-producers-livestock-census-2019/article29715020.ece
http://dadf.gov.in/sites/default/filess/Final-Key%20results%2009.10.2019.pdf