3.

21 Livestock Census
3.21.1 The livestock population of different species is worked out on the basis of this
100% Central Sector Scheme conducted on quinquennial basis. Proper planning and
formulation of any programme aimed at bringing improvement in livestock sector heavily
depends on availability of information on number of livestock of various species by their
age/sex, breed and their spatial distribution. Livestock Census is the only source, which
can give such detailed information. It also provides disaggregated information on
poultry, agricultural implements and machinery, and fishery statistics.

3.21.2 The present Census, 18th in series, has been conducted throughout the country
in October 2007. Enumeration work in most of the states/ Union Territories have already
been done with reference date as15th October 2007, after completing the preparatory
activities of Census namely printing of schedules and instruction manual, training of
enumerators/supervisors and publicity. The Centre took up publicity through All India
Radio by broadcasting messages about the importance of Livestock Census. The data
scrutiny and validation are being carried out by the States/UTs and the provisional
report is expected to be released by June 2008.

3.21.3 In the present census, greater emphasis has been placed on collection of
information on availability of infrastructure as related to Animal Husbandry, Dairying and
Fisheries sector and information on recognized breeds of all species. For the first time
an endeavour has been made to collect information of poultry birds available in different
types of poultry farms. Further to assess the animal draught power, information on
animal driven agricultural implements and their utilisation has been collected. In
fisheries, an effort has been made to collect information on the type of water bodies in
which fishing activity is carried out. During the 18t h l i v e s t o c k c e n s u s , e x t e n
s i v e computerization of data has been planned in terms of getting the household data
computerized and subsequently bringing out various reports on livestock, poultry,
infrastructure facilities, animal driven agricultural implements and equipments used for
livestock poultry, fisheries and holding pattern of livestock by socio-economic status of
households engaged in livestock and fishery sector.

3.21.4 Out of a budgetary allocation of Rs.60.90 crore for 2007-08, an amount of Rs.
59.60 crore has been released till 31.12.2007 to the States/UTs to meet the expenses
of conducting the Census

3.21.5 The position of livestock in the country as per the 17th Livestock Census is given
at Annexure V