NEW DELHI: The Centre on Friday launched the 21st Livestock Census operation in the country, which will continue until February 2025. This operation will cover 30 crore households across all states and UTs, with over one lakh field personnel involved. Rs 200 crore will be spent on the exercise, utilising a robust digital infrastructure and mobile technology. Its report will be released later next year.
This will be the first census in the country where data on livestock holding by pastoralists and nomadic communities will be available independently. The 21st Census will also provide information on the "gender of the person majorly involved in livestock rearing."
The Census, conducted every five years since 1919, involves a comprehensive door-to-door survey that captures detailed data on domesticated animals and birds across the country. Its report plays a crucial role in shaping policies for the sustainable and disease-free growth of the livestock sector.
"The 21st Livestock Census will provide us with updated data on the livestock population, which will allow the government to address key issues like disease control, breed improvement, and rural livelihoods. With advanced digital infrastructure in place to conduct the exercise, we are confident that the data collected will be more accurate, timely, and comprehensive than ever before," said Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Union Minister for Animal Husbandry and Dairying, while launching the operation.
During the over four-month exercise, data will be collected on 15 species of livestock such as cattle, buffalo, mithun, yak, sheep, goat, pig, camel, horse, ponies, mule, donkey, dog, rabbit, and elephant. Besides livestock, the headcount of poultry birds such as fowl, duck, turkey, geese, quail, guinea fowl, ostrich, and emu will also be taken from each household, household enterprises, and non-household institutions. The overall exercise includes capturing data on 219 indigenous breeds of different species.
"The 21st Livestock Census is crucial for identifying opportunities to boost productivity, enhance animal health, and support rural communities. By ensuring comprehensive and reliable data, this census will empower the government to make informed decisions that drive growth and ensure food security in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)," said Amitabh Kant, G20 Sherpa, while speaking on the occasion.
The ministry also launched a Pandemic Fund Project to strengthen animal health security in the country. It is a $25 million initiative funded by the G20 Pandemic Fund . The project aims to enhance India’s capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to animal health threats through disease surveillance, laboratory expansion, and grassroots training—all critical components in preventing zoonotic disease transmission and safeguarding both animal and human health. It will be implemented by the government in partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the World Bank.
Launching the project, Singh said it will support the existing initiatives of his ministry by enhancing disease surveillance, including genomic and environmental surveillance for early warning, laboratory infrastructure development, cross-border collaboration, and creating a more integrated system for monitoring and managing zoonotic diseases.
"In addition to health hazards, animal disease outbreaks also threaten to reverse the gains made in poverty reduction. Hence, ensuring animal health security is crucial not only to human health but also to India’s overall economy and export potential," said an official background note on the project.
The major interventions under the project include strengthening and integrating disease surveillance and early warning systems, upgrading and expanding the laboratory network, improving interoperable data systems, building capacity for data analytics and risk communication, and strengthening health security for transboundary animal diseases and India’s role in regional cooperation through cross-border collaboration.
"The impact of the project would be to reduce the risk that a pathogen will emerge from animals (domesticated and wildlife) and be transmitted to the human population, endangering the health, nutritional security, and livelihoods of vulnerable populations," said the note.
Singh, on the occasion, also released two documents—Standard Veterinary Treatment Guidelines (SVTG) and Crisis Management Plan (CMP) for Animal Diseases—aimed at strengthening animal health management in India.
"These documents will serve as vital tools for veterinarians, policymakers, and field officials, helping to ensure timely and effective responses to animal health crises and improving disease management protocols," said the ministry in a statement.
This will be the first census in the country where data on livestock holding by pastoralists and nomadic communities will be available independently. The 21st Census will also provide information on the "gender of the person majorly involved in livestock rearing."
The Census, conducted every five years since 1919, involves a comprehensive door-to-door survey that captures detailed data on domesticated animals and birds across the country. Its report plays a crucial role in shaping policies for the sustainable and disease-free growth of the livestock sector.
"The 21st Livestock Census will provide us with updated data on the livestock population, which will allow the government to address key issues like disease control, breed improvement, and rural livelihoods. With advanced digital infrastructure in place to conduct the exercise, we are confident that the data collected will be more accurate, timely, and comprehensive than ever before," said Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Union Minister for Animal Husbandry and Dairying, while launching the operation.
During the over four-month exercise, data will be collected on 15 species of livestock such as cattle, buffalo, mithun, yak, sheep, goat, pig, camel, horse, ponies, mule, donkey, dog, rabbit, and elephant. Besides livestock, the headcount of poultry birds such as fowl, duck, turkey, geese, quail, guinea fowl, ostrich, and emu will also be taken from each household, household enterprises, and non-household institutions. The overall exercise includes capturing data on 219 indigenous breeds of different species.
"The 21st Livestock Census is crucial for identifying opportunities to boost productivity, enhance animal health, and support rural communities. By ensuring comprehensive and reliable data, this census will empower the government to make informed decisions that drive growth and ensure food security in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)," said Amitabh Kant, G20 Sherpa, while speaking on the occasion.
The ministry also launched a Pandemic Fund Project to strengthen animal health security in the country. It is a $25 million initiative funded by the G20 Pandemic Fund . The project aims to enhance India’s capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to animal health threats through disease surveillance, laboratory expansion, and grassroots training—all critical components in preventing zoonotic disease transmission and safeguarding both animal and human health. It will be implemented by the government in partnership with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the World Bank.
Launching the project, Singh said it will support the existing initiatives of his ministry by enhancing disease surveillance, including genomic and environmental surveillance for early warning, laboratory infrastructure development, cross-border collaboration, and creating a more integrated system for monitoring and managing zoonotic diseases.
"In addition to health hazards, animal disease outbreaks also threaten to reverse the gains made in poverty reduction. Hence, ensuring animal health security is crucial not only to human health but also to India’s overall economy and export potential," said an official background note on the project.
The major interventions under the project include strengthening and integrating disease surveillance and early warning systems, upgrading and expanding the laboratory network, improving interoperable data systems, building capacity for data analytics and risk communication, and strengthening health security for transboundary animal diseases and India’s role in regional cooperation through cross-border collaboration.
"The impact of the project would be to reduce the risk that a pathogen will emerge from animals (domesticated and wildlife) and be transmitted to the human population, endangering the health, nutritional security, and livelihoods of vulnerable populations," said the note.
Singh, on the occasion, also released two documents—Standard Veterinary Treatment Guidelines (SVTG) and Crisis Management Plan (CMP) for Animal Diseases—aimed at strengthening animal health management in India.
"These documents will serve as vital tools for veterinarians, policymakers, and field officials, helping to ensure timely and effective responses to animal health crises and improving disease management protocols," said the ministry in a statement.
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