Impact Of Modernization On Rural Livestock Farmers In India

Animal Husbandry is making a significant contribution to the national economy and socio-economic development in the country. In rural India where over 15-20% families are landless and about 80% of the land holders belong to the category of small and marginal farmers, livestock is the main source of livelihood. In the absence of fertile lands and assured irrigation which are controlled by a small population of rich farmers and lack of employment in the industrial and service sectors, most of the rural families belonging to socio-economically weaker sections of the society maintain different species of livestock to supplement their income. While the land owners prefer cattle and buffaloes, the landless prefer to own sheep, goat and poultry. With the policy of the State Animal Husbandry Department to extend free breeding, vaccination and veterinary services and permit free grazing on community lands, the farmers were encouraged to expand their herd size without any major financial burden.