India’s Livestock Population

India has vast resources of livestock and poultry, which play a vital role in improving the socio-economic conditions of the rural masses. India ranks

• first in respect of buffalo,
  
• Second in cattle & goats,
  
• Third in sheep,
  
• Fourth in ducks,
  
• Fifth in chickens
  
• Sixth in Camel population in the world.
  
• India has 57% of the world’s buffalo population.
  

The following table shows India’s Livestock Population:

Source: Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries, values in millions

• The above table makes it clear that India had 283.4 million total bovines in 2003 census out of which the largest share was of Cattle.
  
• Total Population of Goats is more than that of sheep.
  
• India’s Total Livestock was 489 million in 2003.