The Role of Animal Husbandry in Indian Agriculture

India’s agricultural economy doesn’t run on crops alone. A massive part of it – nearly a third of the agriculture sector’s total value – comes from livestock, poultry, and fisheries. Animal husbandry, the practice of breeding and raising animals for food products like milk, meat, eggs, and wool, has been woven into India’s farming fabric for thousands of years. Today, it supports the livelihoods of tens of millions of rural households and has positioned India as a global leader in milk and egg production. Let’s look at how this sector works, what has driven its growth, and why it matters so much to Indian agriculture.

What is animal husbandry and why does it matter? 🔗

Animal husbandry refers to the branch of agriculture that deals with the care, breeding, management, and rearing of domesticated animals. In India, this includes cattle, buffalo, goats, sheep, poultry birds, pigs, and fish. The sector serves a dual purpose: it provides essential food products – milk, eggs, meat, wool, and fish – and it generates steady income for smallholder farmers who may not rely solely on crop cultivation.

According to India’s Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, the livestock sector grew at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of nearly 13% between 2014-15 and 2022-23. Its share in the total agriculture and allied sector Gross Value Added (GVA) rose from about 24% in 2014-15 to over 30% in 2022-23. These numbers clearly show that animal husbandry is not a supplementary activity – it is a core pillar of Indian agriculture.

The dairy sector and the White Revolution 🔗

No discussion of animal husbandry in India is complete without the story of dairy farming. India is the largest milk-producing country in the world, and this status did not come about by accident. It is the direct result of one of the most ambitious agricultural development programmes ever launched – Operation Flood.

How Operation Flood transformed Indian dairy 🔗

Operation Flood, also known as the White Revolution, was launched on 13 January 1970 under the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB). The programme was designed to link rural milk producers directly with urban consumers, removing middlemen and ensuring that farmers got fair prices for their produce.

The architect behind this movement was Dr. Verghese Kurien, often called the “Father of the White Revolution” and the “Milkman of India.” Kurien’s vision was built on the cooperative model pioneered by Amul (Anand Milk Union Limited) in Gujarat’s Anand district, where local farmers pooled their milk output and collectively handled processing and marketing.

Operation Flood was rolled out in three phases:

Phase I (1970-1980) connected 18 of India’s major milk-producing regions with metropolitan consumers in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai. The initial funding came from the sale of butter oil and skimmed milk powder donated by the European Economic Community through the World Food Programme.

Phase II (1981-1985) expanded the network dramatically. The number of milk sheds grew from 18 to 136, and over 43,000 village cooperatives involving 4.25 million milk producers were established.

Phase III (1985-1996) consolidated the cooperative infrastructure, adding 30,000 new dairy cooperatives and expanding veterinary services, animal nutrition programmes, and artificial insemination facilities for farmers.

By the time Kurien retired as NDDB chairman in 1998, India had surpassed the United States to become the world’s largest milk producer, with over 10 million dairy producers operating through 81,000 cooperatives.

India’s dairy sector today 🔗

The growth hasn’t stopped. As per the Basic Animal Husbandry Statistics (BAHS) 2025, India’s total milk production reached an estimated 247.87 million tonnes in 2024-25, up from 239.30 million tonnes the previous year – a growth of 3.58%. The per capita milk availability has also climbed from 319 grams per day in 2014-15 to 485 grams per day in 2024-25. The top five milk-producing states are Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, and Maharashtra.

To further modernise dairy infrastructure, the government has launched schemes like the Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF), which supports investment in dairy processing, value addition, and breed improvement with an outlay of over ₹29,000 crore. The Rashtriya Gokul Mission focuses specifically on the conservation and development of indigenous cattle breeds.

Poultry farming in India 🔗

Poultry farming is one of the fastest-growing segments within Indian animal husbandry. It encompasses the rearing of chickens, ducks, turkeys, and other domesticated birds primarily for eggs and meat. Over the last decade, India has emerged as a global poultry powerhouse.

Egg production 🔗

India is the second-largest egg producer in the world. According to BAHS 2025, total egg production reached an estimated 149.11 billion eggs in 2024-25, growing 4.44% over the previous year. Per capita egg availability has jumped from 62 eggs per year in 2014-15 to 106 eggs per year in 2024-25. Andhra Pradesh leads production with an 18.37% share, followed by Tamil Nadu, Telangana, West Bengal, and Karnataka – together accounting for about 64% of national output.

Commercial poultry operations contribute the bulk of this production, accounting for nearly 85% of total eggs. Backyard poultry – small flocks raised by rural households – still contributes about 15%, playing an important role in nutrition security for low-income families.

Meat production 🔗

India ranks fourth globally in meat production. Total meat output in 2024-25 was estimated at 10.50 million tonnes, with poultry meat alone contributing about half – 5.18 million tonnes. The major meat-producing states include West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.

The growth in poultry has been driven by improved breeding techniques, better feed formulation, disease management through vaccination programmes, and the adoption of contract farming models where large integrators work with smallholder farmers. The National Livestock Mission (NLM) provides subsidies of up to 50% for setting up poultry, sheep, goat, and piggery enterprises, encouraging entrepreneurship in these sectors.

Goat and sheep rearing 🔗

Goat and sheep rearing are among the most accessible forms of animal husbandry for small and marginal farmers. These animals require less space and lower investment compared to cattle, making them ideal for resource-poor households.

Goat farming 🔗

Goats are often called the “poor man’s cow” in India. They provide milk, meat, fibre (in the case of breeds like Pashmina and Angora), and skin. India has one of the world’s largest goat populations, and goat meat (chevon or mutton) is widely consumed across the country. Breeds like Jamunapari, Barbari, Black Bengal, and Sirohi are commercially important. The demand for goat meat has been rising steadily, and the government’s NLM scheme provides financial support for establishing commercial goat farms.

Sheep farming and wool production 🔗

Sheep are primarily reared for wool and meat. India’s total wool production in 2024-25 was estimated at 34.57 million kg, registering a growth of 2.63% over the previous year. Rajasthan dominates wool production with nearly 48% of the national output, followed by Jammu & Kashmir, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Himachal Pradesh. These five states together produce about 86% of India’s total wool.

While wool production has seen modest growth, the sector faces challenges such as competition from synthetic fibres, limited market access for raw wool, and the need for better breed improvement programmes.

Fisheries and the Blue Revolution 🔗

Fisheries form another critical component of animal husbandry in India. The country has a vast network of rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and a coastline stretching over 8,000 km, making it ideally suited for both inland and marine fisheries.

India’s fisheries growth story 🔗

India is the third-largest fish producer and the second-largest aquaculture nation in the world, contributing about 8% of global fish production. The sector employs around 30 million people across the value chain – from catching and farming to processing and export.

The government launched the Blue Revolution scheme in 2015-16 to promote the integrated and sustainable development of fisheries, covering both inland and marine segments. Building on this, the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) was introduced in 2020 with an investment of ₹20,050 crore over five years. PMMSY focuses on boosting fish production and productivity, improving post-harvest infrastructure, modernising the value chain, and promoting new technologies like recirculatory aquaculture systems (RAS), biofloc, and cage cultivation.

Key achievements in fisheries 🔗

The results have been significant. As per a government report, India recorded a 38% growth in fish production since the launch of PMMSY. Inland fisheries and aquaculture now contribute over 75% of total fish output, reaching 147.37 lakh tonnes in 2024-25. India’s average aquaculture productivity improved to 4.7 tonnes per hectare in 2025, compared to 3 tonnes per hectare before the scheme.

The fisheries sector’s GVA reached ₹3.68 lakh crore in 2023-24, and fish and fishery product exports grew by about 34% between 2019-20 and 2024-25. The 2025-26 Union Budget allocated a record ₹2,703.67 crore to the fisheries sector, reflecting the government’s recognition of its growing importance.

Economic and social impact of animal husbandry 🔗

The economic significance of animal husbandry goes beyond raw production numbers. Here is what the sector contributes to India’s broader economy and rural society:

Rural employment: Livestock rearing, poultry farming, and fisheries provide year-round employment and supplementary income, especially in regions where crop farming is seasonal or rain-dependent. Dairy farming alone sustains millions of rural households, particularly women who handle most of the day-to-day animal care.

Nutrition security: Animal products – milk, eggs, meat, and fish – are primary sources of high-quality protein, vitamins, and minerals. Increased availability and affordability of these products directly improve the nutritional status of the population.

Export earnings: India is a major exporter of buffalo meat (carabeef), marine products, and dairy items. Marine product exports alone were valued at over $7 billion in FY24. These exports bring in valuable foreign exchange and strengthen India’s trade balance.

Women’s empowerment: Women play a disproportionately large role in India’s livestock sector. Some estimates suggest that around 75 million Indian women are engaged in dairy-related activities. Cooperatives, self-help groups, and government schemes have helped channel this participation into income generation and economic empowerment.

Challenges facing the sector 🔗

Despite impressive growth, India’s animal husbandry sector faces several challenges that limit its full potential.

Low productivity per animal: While India has the largest bovine population in the world, the average milk yield per animal remains significantly lower than in countries like the US, Netherlands, or Israel. This is largely due to the prevalence of non-descript (low-yielding) breeds and inadequate feed and nutrition.

Disease outbreaks: Livestock diseases such as Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), lumpy skin disease, and avian influenza can cause massive economic losses. While vaccination programmes exist, coverage is not universal, and veterinary infrastructure in many rural areas is still underdeveloped.

Limited value addition: A large proportion of animal products are sold unprocessed. The dairy processing infrastructure, cold chains, and meat processing facilities need further expansion, especially outside major urban areas.

Climate vulnerability: Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and changing disease patterns due to climate change pose long-term threats to animal health, feed availability, and productivity.

Government initiatives supporting growth 🔗

The Indian government has launched multiple schemes to strengthen the animal husbandry sector:

Rashtriya Gokul Mission: Focuses on conservation and development of indigenous cattle breeds and genetic upgradation of bovine populations.

National Livestock Mission (NLM): Supports entrepreneurship in poultry, sheep, goat, and piggery farming through subsidies and training programmes.

Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF): Provides incentives for private investment in dairy processing, meat processing, animal feed plants, and veterinary vaccine infrastructure.

Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY): The flagship fisheries scheme aimed at sustainable development, infrastructure modernisation, and doubling fisher incomes.

21st Livestock Census: Launched in October 2024, this nationwide census will provide updated data on cattle, buffalo, sheep, goat, pig, poultry, and other animal populations across all states and union territories, helping shape future policies.

The road ahead 🔗

Animal husbandry in India is at a turning point. The sector has already shown what is possible – the White Revolution made India the dairy capital of the world, and the Blue Revolution is doing the same for fisheries. With initiatives like White Revolution 2.0, which aims to raise cooperative milk procurement by nearly 50% by 2028-29, and continued investment in poultry, fisheries, and small ruminant farming, the trajectory is clearly upward.

However, realising this potential will require sustained focus on breed improvement, disease control, feed and fodder security, climate adaptation, and value chain development. Technology – from artificial insemination and genomic selection to digital marketing platforms and cold chain logistics – will be key to making Indian animal husbandry more productive, sustainable, and profitable for smallholder farmers.

What do you think? How can India balance the growing demand for animal products with the need for sustainable and ethical livestock management? And what role can technology play in bridging the productivity gap between Indian and global livestock farming?

References

1. https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2086052
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_revolution_(India)
3. https://www.ibef.org/research/case-study/india-s-white-revolution
4. https://www.worldfoodprize.org/en/laureates/19871999_laureates/1989_kurien/
5. https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2195049&reg=3&lang=2
6. https://dahd.gov.in/sites/default/files/2024-10/RS1010.pdf
7. https://www.ibef.org/government-schemes/pradhan-mantri-matsya-sampada-yojana
8. https://ddnews.gov.in/en/india-records-38-growth-in-fish-production-since-pmmsy-launch/
9. https://artsandculture.google.com/story/india%E2%80%99s-white-revolution/DAWxXC89x_fUEA?hl=en
10. https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/basic-animal-husbandry-statistics-2024