Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 25 October 2024
The 21st Livestock Census will officially be launched today and will continue until February 2025, covering the entire country. Conducted every five years, this comprehensive exercise aims to assess the livestock population, aiding in the planning and development of initiatives to enhance the livestock sector and its contribution to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
For the second consecutive census, the entire enumeration process will be conducted digitally, utilizing electronic devices such as tablets and smartphones. These gadgets are equipped with specially designed software developed by the National Digital Livestock Management (NDLM) wing of the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, New Delhi.
The primary objective of the Livestock Census is to gather detailed information on livestock populations, including domestic animals and poultry birds, along with their breed, sex, age, and purpose. This vital data will facilitate effective planning, implementation, and monitoring of programs aimed at improving the livestock sector. Key objectives include data collection, identification of trends, resource allocation, and international reporting.
The census will encompass all districts across states and Union Territories, reaching out to households, non-households, enterprises, and institutions in both rural and urban areas. It will also cover defence establishments, para-military forces, and state police units. Notably, the census will collect sex-wise data on stray cattle for the first time.
In the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services serves as the nodal agency for this initiative, which includes 551 villages across three districts. A dedicated team of 55 enumerators, eight supervisors, and three District Nodal Officers will operate under the guidance of the Assistant State Nodal Officer and State Nodal Officer to ensure a smooth process.
As the census unfolds, all livestock owners are encouraged to cooperate with the designated enumerators, providing accurate information to aid in this significant national effort. The final results are expected to be submitted by February 2025.