Livestock population census, 2012 of Rajasthan :

The total livestock population in the last five and half decades in Rajasthan was noticeably increased from 32426.98 thousand number in 1956 to 57732.20 thousand number in 2012. The increase in buffalo population during this period was more than four times. As far as population of small ruminants are concerned, sheep and goat dominated the livestock population and constituted over 50 per cent of livestock population in the state.

According to 19th livestock census, Rajasthan state possesses 57732 thousand number of livestock animals which accounting for about 11 per cent of total livestock population of India. Rajasthan is second leading milk producing state after Uttar Pradesh in India. Land and livestock animals have been two basic resources of farmers for income and employment generation. Animal husbandry is being envisaged as an integral part of diversified agriculture in the state. Livestock sector occupies a very important place in socioeconomic development of state. The quality and quantity of various animal species maintained by rural households are considered as the outward indicator of social status of rural families in state. Besides, it has potential to fetch cash income on a regular basis to meet the social and family requirements of households. Changing trends of livestock population in state explained below :

Cattle population :

The cattle population have shown fluctuating trends but a general increase was observed from 12072.71 thousand number in 1956 to 13324.46 thousand number in 2012, with an increase of 10.37 per cent. The share of cattle in total livestock population continuously reduced from 39 per cent in 1961 to 21.39 per cent in 2007. It was reduced to 23.08 per cent in 2012 from 37.23 per cent in 1956. The maximum share of cattle (39.20%) among livestock was observed in 1961.

Buffalo population :

The buffalo population have shown increasing trend in terms of number during the period from 1956 to 2012, and it has significantly increased from 3439.45 thousand in 1956 to 12976.10 thousand in 2012, with an increase of 277.27 per cent. As far as concerned with share of buffaloes to total livestock, it was seen that buffalo contributed 10.61 per cent to total livestock population in 1956 which increased to 22.48 per cent in 2012.

Sheep population :

Regarding the sheep population, number of sheep was increased from 7372.81 thousand in 1956 to 9079.70 thousand in 2012. Its population showed an increase of 23.15 per cent from 1956 to 2012.

Goat population :

The goat population have shown steady growth with 8730.16 thousand number in 1956 and 21665.94 thousand number in 2012. There has been an increase of 148.17 per cent in goat population over the period of time. The per cent share of goat population in total livestock population has increased from 26.92 per cent in 1956 to 37.53 per cent in 2012.

Camel population :

The camel population have decreased from 436.24 thousand number in 1956 to 325.71 thousand number in 2012. The per cent of share camel in total population of livestock in Rajasthan was decreased from 1.35 per cent in 1956 to 0.56 per cent in 2012. The overall decline was 25.34 per cent in camel population over the period. The camel, generally used for draught purpose, initially had shown increasing trend up to early eighties and thereafter, it had steadily declined. In order to save India’s dwindling camel population, the government of Rajasthan declared the camel an official State Animal in 2014. On 2 October 2016, the Rajasthan state government announced Ushtra Vikas Yojana, an innovative new Camel Development Scheme. Government of Rajasthan will support camel breeders with a subsidy of ` 10,000 (payable over a period of eighteen months) for each camel calf born.

Total population :

The temporal composition of different species of livestock animals had changed noticeably during the period from 1956 to 2012, as shown in Table 1. The total livestock population was increased from 32426.98 thousand number in 1956 to 57732.20 thousand number in 2012 with an increase of 78.04 per cent. The highest population of livestock was recorded in 2012. An increasing trend in number of total livestock population was observed from 1956 to 2012, except in the years 1988, 1992 and 2003. Thus, the total livestock population in the last five and half decade has almost doubled in the state of Rajasthan. Moreover a general decline in all livestock species were seen during 1988 over 1983 and 2003 over 1997, which was attributable to the acute drought in the year 1987 and 2002 in the state.

Conclusion :

It has been observed that an increasing trend in number of total livestock population was observed from 1956 to 2012, except in the years 1988 and 2003. Moreover a general decline in all livestock species in state was attributable to the acute drought in the year 1987 and 2002 in the state. The recent census evinced an impressive growth for all livestock species excluding sheep, camels and other animals. The trends in different species of animals in the state indicate that a shift has taken place in favour of more productive milch animals. Although this shifting is one of the good indicator for dairy development but qualitative improvements in breeds of milch animals in the state was very poor yet. Actual demand for milk is met with increased milk production while it was not happened in case of meat and egg over the period of time. The human population of Rajasthan state is predominantly vegetarian; thus, supply might meet actual demand for egg and meat for non-vegetarian, but when take into account the whole human population depend on animal products for their dietary protein requirement falls short of per capita availability in egg and meat.

Further increases in per capita income and changing consumption pattern would lead to acceleration in demand for milk and milk products in the state and thus would give a boost to this sector.