Question : FARMERS IN ANIMAL HUSBANDRY SECTOR

(a) the schemes being implemented by the Government in the country for the promotion and development of animal husbandry including piggery and poultry;

(b) the details of allocations and funds utilised during each of the last three years and the current year, State-wise;

(c) whether the level of participation of farmers in the animal husbandry sector has not been very encouraging over the last decade;

(d) if so, the response of the Government thereto; and

(e) the steps taken by the Government to increase the participation of farmers in the sector?

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR AGRICULTURE AND FOOD PROCESSING INDUSTRIES (DR. CHARAN DAS MAHANT)

(a) The Government is implementing various Centrally Sponsored and Centre Sector Schemes in the country for promotion and development of animal husbandry including piggery and poultry. The list of Schemes implemented by the Department are as follows:

1. Livestock Health and Disease Control with following components

a. Assistance to States for Control of Animal Diseases (ASCAD)

b. National project on Rinderpest Eradication (NPRE)

c. Professional Efficiency Development (PED)

d. Foot and Mouth Disease Control Programme (FMD-CP)

e. National Animal Disease Reporting System (NADRS)

f. National Control Programme on Peste des Petits Ruminants (NCPPPR)

g. National Control Programme on Brucellosis (NCPB)

h. Establishment and Strengthening of Veterinary Hospitals and Dispensaries (ESVHD).

2. National Project for Cattle and Buffalo Breeding

3. Poultry Development

4. Integrated Development of Small Ruminants and Rabbits

5. Conservation of Threatened Livestock Breeds

6. Centrally Sponsored feed and Fodder Development Scheme

7. Livestock Insurance

8. Poultry Venture Capital Fund

9. Piggery Development

(b) All the Schemes of the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries are demand Driven and no allocation is made by the Department to the States. The funds released to different States for development of Animal husbandry may be seen at Annexure-I.

(c) to (e) Animal Husbandry sector provides large self-employment opportunities. According to National Sample Survey Office’s latest Employment and Unemployment Survey (2009-10), estimate of number of workers engaged in farming of animals is 20.5 million as per usual status (principal status plus subsidiary status irrespective of their principal activity status). In order to promote animal husbandry sector and the participation of farmers, the Department is implementing various Schemes which are directly benefitting the farmers. These schemes also envisage the components for increasing awareness in this regard.