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When the Rajasthan State came in existence in March 1949, there was no department
as such in the state to deal with the animal husbandry sector. Initially Animal
Husbandry activities were taken care by the Department of Agriculture. In 1958 the
department was separated from the Department of Agriculture. The Animal Husbandry
Department thus came in to existence in 1958, along with Sheep and Wool and Fisheries
sections
In 1984 the Fisheries Department was separated from the Department of Animal Husbandry
making it an independent Department.
Rajasthan has a geographical area of 3,42,239 Sq.Km, which is 10.4%of the country’s
geographical area. The total human population of Rajasthan in 2001 is 56.47 million.
The rural population is 76.6% and urban population is 23.4% and the population density
is 165 per Sq.Km. The tribal population is 12.4% of the total population of the
state. The state has a forest cover of 16,367 Sq,Km. The livestock population of
the state as per 2003 livestock census is 491.36 lacs. The estimate of milk ,egg
and wool production was 9375 thousand tones, 663.10 million nos. and 15685 thousand
Kgs respectively in 2006-07, The state produces highest wool in the country
.
Animal husbandry and livestock is highly potential sector contributing a lot in
state economy, especially of rural economy. The potential of crop production depends
upon huge investment and weather and meteorological conditions. Comparatively Animal
husbandry and livestock is more stable and requires lesser investments. Livestock
and poultry have proved to be life savior in many distress conditions, especially
in case of drought.
Animal Husbandry is not only a subsidiary occupation to agriculture but it is a
major economic activity, especially in the arid and semi-arid regions of the Rajasthan.
Livestock sector development has a significant beneficial impact in generating employment
and reducing poverty in rural areas. Livestock provides other benefits to the rural
sector. Livestock supplies a large portion of draft power for agriculture.
Animal Husbandry contributes about 13% in the G.D.P. of the State
. This sector has a great potential for rural self-employment at lowest possible
investment per unit. Therefore, livestock development is a critical pathway to rural
prosperity.
As per the livestock census of 2003, there are 491.36 lacs animals and over 61.8
lacs Poultry in the State. Rajasthan has about only 7% of the country’s cattle population
and contributes over 11% of the total milk production, 30% of the mutton and 40%
wool produced in the country. Rajasthan is first in Wool production while third
in milk production .
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