Cattle population declines 3%

India's cattle population declined by 3.33 per cent to 512.05 million in 2012, compared to 2007, owing to a fall in goat and sheep population, according to the Livestock Census data released on Wednesday.

The census, the most comprehensive survey of India's animal population, is done every five years. The last such census was carried out in 2007.

According to an official statement, between 2007 and 2012, the population of goats dropped 3.82 per cent and was estimated at 135.17 million, while that of sheep fell 9.07 per cent to 65.06 million.

However, during the same period, overall livestock population increased substantially in Gujarat (15.36 per cent), Uttar Pradesh (14.01 per cent), Assam (10.77 per cent), Punjab (9.57 per cent), Bihar (8.56 per cent), Sikkim (7.96 per cent, Meghalaya (7.41 per cent), and Chhattisgarh (4.34 per cent).

FALLING NUMBER A CONCERN

• Drop in goat and sheep numbers between 2007 and 2012 pulled India’s total cattle population down to 512.05 mn
• The population of goats dropped 3.82 per cent to 135.17 million, while sheep population fell 9.07 per cent to 65.06 million
• However, overall livestock population increased substantially in Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Punjab, Bihar, Sikkim, Meghalaya, and Chhattisgarh

Poultry population increased 12.39 per cent during this period. Mules registered a rise of 43.34 per cent to 0.19 million in 2012. The population of donkeys declined by 27.22 per cent and camels by 22.48 per cent.

The data also showed export of fish and fish products saw a significant rise between 2009-10 and 2013-14. In 2009-10, India exported 678,436 tonnes of fish and fish products worth Rs 10,048.53 crore, while in 2013-14. It was 983,756 tonnes worth Rs 30,213.26 crore. "The jump in exports happened due to L Vannamei, an exotic shrimp variety introduced in 2009 and it accounted for around Rs 20,000 crore of total exports," the statement said.

The fisheries sector in India provides livelihood to 14.49 million people engaged fully or partially with the sector, or a subsidiary sector.