What is Livestock Farming? It’s Types, Advantages and Importance

Livestock refers to farm animals like cows and chickens. Livestock farming involves raising these animals for different purposes, including meat and eggs. There are various types of livestock farming, providing benefits such as food production, job opportunities, and economic value. The importance of livestock farming lies in its contribution to our well-being, nutrition, and overall economy.

Livestock farming is most prevalent in East and Southeast Asia, northern Africa, and the southeastern United States. The livestock output in these regions is among the largest. In terms of cattle, horses, and pigs, India is the country with the highest livestock population globally. The largest number of livestock in India in 2019 was found in Uttar Pradesh, which was followed by Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

In this article, we will look into the examples, types, characteristics, advantages, and importance of Livestock Farming. We will also discuss Livestock Farming in India and issues related to Livestock Farming.

What is Livestock Farming?

Raising animals for food, clothing, and transportation is known as livestock farming. Animals such as pigs, sheep, goats, cows, horses, and chickens are considered livestock. Livestock farming can also refer to the raising of animals for labor and recreation as well as the production of wool and leather.

An industrial production technique called “intensive livestock farming” involves housing a lot of animals in small spaces. In most cases, animals kept in these institutions have little room to roam about and no access to the outdoors. The large-scale, intense production of crops and animals is known as industrial farming. Frequently, it involves the harmful habitual use of antibiotics in animals or the application of chemical fertilizers on crops.

Types of Livestock Animals

Animals that have been domesticated and raised for goods or services are called livestock. “Farm animal” or “stock” can be synonymous with “livestock”. They include:

• Cattle: Raised mostly for milk and meat
• Sheep: Raised for meat, wool for fabric, and occasionally milk
• Chickens: Grown for their meat or eggs

A few other livestock animals are donkeys, mules, horses, pigs, and goats.  Also, livestock can help with crops or provide transportation services.

Examples of Livestock Farming

Raising domesticated animals for work and goods including meat, milk, eggs, and wool is known as livestock farming. Here are a few instances of farming livestock:

• Cattle: Cattle are a common kind of animal kept for their meat and milk. Two kinds of animals are managed in cattle farming: dairy animals for food and animals for work, such as irrigation and plowing.
• Sheep: Raised for meat, wool, and occasionally milk.
• Chickens: The species of animal that is most prevalent on Earth is raised for consumption.
• Goats: Goats are a lucrative non-meat mammal that can be produced and raised for commercial purposes.
• Other Examples: Pig, chicken, duck, prawn, crab, and quail rearing are among the farming practices.

Types of Livestock Farming

The practice of breeding animals for their meat, milk, and other products is known as livestock farming, sometimes referred to as animal husbandry or animal agriculture. Here are a few examples of farming livestock:

Buffalo Farming

Buffalo farming is an important part of the livestock business that generates milk, meat, hides, and bones in addition to providing draft power for farming activities.

Poultry Farming

Raising live animals such as pigs, chickens, and cows is the focus of this kind of agriculture.

Fish Farming

Fish are raised in this approach using waste products from cattle without the need for additional nutrients.

Precision Farming of livestock

This technology, also referred to as “livestock smart farming,” helps in the management of livestock by automatically tracking their welfare, health, and productivity.

Extensive Farming

Livestock roam freely in pastures and feeding places in this kind of livestock farming.

Pig Farming

Raising pigs can be done as a specialization or as a component of mixed farming.

Dairy Farming

This kind of farming produces milk for human use over an extended period.

Other Types of Livestock Farming

Animal agriculture, cattle farming, horse and dog breeding, sheep farming, beekeeping, and aquaculture are some more types of livestock farming.

Characteristics of Livestock Farming

The following are some characteristics of livestock farming:

1. Care for Animals

Making sure that animals are kept in environments that support their well-being is an essential part of livestock farming.

2. Raising Livestock for Profits

This is done in permanent cattle ranches, where scientific methods are used to raise the animals. To provide the most milk and meat possible, certain varieties of animals are raised.

3. Consumption of Energy

About 20% of all energy used in agriculture is used for livestock farming, making it one of the major energy consumers in the sector.

4. Production of Crops

Crop production and livestock production are strongly connected. Livestock provides energy by supplying plow animal force, while manure enhances soil fertility, structure, and water retention.

5. Management of Pastures

This is essential for grazing animals. Improved forage output, reduced production costs, better aesthetics, and the promotion of a healthier environment are all possible for landowners with better pasture management.

6. Sustainability of the Environment

Raising livestock helps maintain environmental sustainability by converting waste energy from humans into incredibly nutrient-dense foods derived from animals.

7. Management and Breeding of Cattle Species

This is the science of raising animals for food, which includes managing, caring for, and breeding them.

Importance of Livestock Farming

Livestock farming is important for the reasons listed below:

• Food and Nutrition: Livestock contributes to the world’s supply of protein and energy and produces nutrient-rich food products.
• Revenue and Jobs: Livestock create jobs and revenue while acting as a safety net for the underprivileged.
• Crop Production: Draught power and manure inputs are supplied by livestock to the crop subsector.
• Foreign Exchange: Livestock exports help to generate foreign exchange.
• Non-food Products: A broad range of non-food items are produced by livestock, such as industrial protein, lipids, leather, wool, and pharmaceuticals.
• Terrestrial Ecosystems: The sustainable use, maintenance, and restoration of terrestrial ecosystems and their services can be facilitated by the production of animals.
• Preventing Desertification: Raising animals can aid in slowing the desertification process and repairing damaged soil and land.

Advantages of Livestock Farming

There are several benefits to raising livestock, such as:

• Food: High-quality food items including meat, milk, eggs, and cheese are produced via livestock farming.
• Sustainability: It’s one of the few human-centered economic initiatives that can be sustained.
• Employment: It generates revenue and jobs.
• Additional Products: Livestock supplies transportation, fuel, fertilizer, clothes, and energy during draughts. It also supplies the industrial sector with hides, skin, bones, blood, and fibers.
• Environmental Sustainability: The production of livestock uses energy that would otherwise be wasted by humans to produce wholesome meals. Pollution and organic waste are decreased as a result.
• Climate Protection: Farmers can be protected by livestock from weather conditions that may destroy their crop.
• Fertility of the Land: Organic fertilizers made from livestock manure can improve fertility of the ground.

Registered Indigenous Livestock Species

Ten new livestock breeds have been registered by Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) recently. As of January 2023, there were 212 native breeds worldwide as a result.

The ten newly introduced native livestock breeds are:

1. Kathani cattle from Maharashtra
2. Sanchori cattle from Rajasthan
3. Masilum cattle from Meghalaya
4. Purnathadi buffalo from Maharashtra
5. Sojat goat from Rajasthan
6. Karauli goat from Rajasthan
7. Gujari goat from Rajasthan
8. Banda pig from Jharkhand
9. Manipuri Black pig from Manipur
10. Wak Chambil pig from Meghalaya.

Issues with Livestock Farming

The following are the issues related to livestock farming in India:

Insufficient Transparency

The majority of livestock in the country is still undeclared. Also, the markets for cattle products in India are typically undeveloped, unstable, opaque, and controlled by unofficial market middlemen.

Increasing Animal Illnesses

There has been a surge in animal infections that can be spread. The most recent is the cattle outbreak of lumpy skin disease (LSD) in several Indian states.

Absence of Extension Services

Although it is commonly acknowledged that extension services can improve agricultural productivity and production, the undervaluation of livestock extension has contributed to the low productivity of India’s livestock industry.

Livestock Farming in India

In India, dairy is the single biggest agricultural commodity. It directly employs 80 million dairy farmers and makes up 5% of the US GDP.

The livestock industry grew at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.9% from 2014–15 to 2020–21 (at constant prices). From 24.3% in 2014–15 to 30.1% in 2020–21 (at constant prices), the livestock sector’s share of the total agriculture GVA increased.

Besides bringing in money and giving households a consistent supply of food and income, livestock also gives rural families jobs and serves as insurance against crop failures, and a farmer’s livestock holdings have a social value within the community.

Conclusion – Livestock Farming

Livestock Farming is the activity of raising tamed animals for personal use or consumption. Livestock farming includes tasks like feeding, breeding, and taking care of the animals. A livestock farmer raises animals for their purpose or enjoyment. Animals raised as livestock are often raised for their meat, skins, milk, and wool. Cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, horses, and poultry are examples of livestock. Sheep are raised primarily for meat, fiber (wool), and occasionally milk, while cattle are raised mostly for meat and milk. The most prevalent farm animal is the chicken. Their excrement is utilized as fertilizer, and they are farmed for their meat and eggs.

UPSC Previous Year Questions on Livestock Farming

Livestock farming is an important topic for UPSC. It is important for both prelims and mains exam point of view. Students preparing for UPSC Exam can refer to this article for comprehensive notes on Livestock Farming. Also, check the below mentioned question to understand the pattern of the questions that are being asked in UPSC exam.

Q. Which of the following is the chief characteristic of ‘mixed farming’? (2012)

(a) Cultivation of both cash crops and food crops

(b) Cultivation of two or more crops in the same field

(c) Rearing of animals and cultivation of crops together

(d) None of the above

Ans: (c)

UPSC Mains 2015:

Q. Livestock rearing has a big potential for providing non-farm employment and income in rural areas. Discuss suggesting suitable measures to promote this sector in India. (2015)

FAQs on Types, Advantages and Importance of Livestock Farming

1. Which country is best in livestock farming?

Based on 188 countries, the average for 2021 was 109.7 index points. Hong Kong recorded the greatest score at 244.8 index points, while Burma (Myanmar) had the lowest value at 41.5 index points. The available period for the indicator is 1961–2021.

2. What is the most common livestock in the world?

The most prevalent livestock species worldwide are chicken, beef, and pork. Other animal species are regionally distributed.

3. Where is livestock found in India?

With over 67.8 million animals in 2019, Uttar Pradesh had the largest livestock population in all of India. Madhya Pradesh came in second that year, after Rajasthan.

4. Which country has largest livestock?

The country having the most livestock is India. Livestock comprises pigs, horses, cattle, and other animals.

5. What is the largest livestock industry?

With the biggest percentage of all cash receipts for agricultural commodities, cattle production is the most significant agricultural sector in the United States.