Importance of Small Ruminants in Economic Stability and Food Security

Dairy Industry in India

Global Leadership: India ranks as the largest milk producer globally, providing 24.76% of the world's milk supply.

Production Increase: Milk output increased from 146.31 million tonnes in 2014-15 to 239.30 million tonnes in 2023-24.

Economic Contribution: Dairy represents India's most significant agricultural product, accounting for 5% of GDP and providing jobs for more than 8 crore farmers.

Growth Performance: The livestock sector expanded at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.9% from 2014-15 to 2020-21, surpassing the agriculture sector.

Trends in the Growth of Small Ruminants and Poultry

Goat Count: India possesses 148 million goats, representing 16% of the worldwide goat population – the largest in the world.

Sheep Population: India holds the third position worldwide with 74.26 million sheep, representing 4.03% of the total global population.

Poultry: The population is at 851.81 million, reflecting a 16.8% rise compared to the previous census.

Trends in the Expansion of Small Ruminants and Poultry

Importance of Small Ruminants and Poultry

Support for Livelihoods of Marginal Farmers: Goats, frequently referred to as the “poor man’s cow,” play a crucial role for landless and marginal farmers, particularly women, because of their minimal input requirements and simple care.

Economic Safety Net in Hard Times: These animals serve as financial safeguards during droughts and agricultural losses, providing income stability for at-risk rural families.

Adaptation to Severe Climates: Small ruminants and birds are highly suited for arid, semi-arid, and rain-fed areas, making them perfect for regions where growing crops and dairy farming are not feasible.

Economic Contribution: Small ruminants add ₹31,449 crore each year to the Indian economy via milk, meat, and exports, underscoring their increasing economic importance.

The Way Ahead

India requires strong policy and extension support, streamlined access to subsidies, infrastructure investment, and climate-resilient, sustainable practices in order to fully realise the potential of small ruminants.

Goat and sheep could become organised, high-impact value chains by establishing a specialised agency based on the NDDB, which would help replicate the cooperative success of dairy.