Changes in utility of Livestock

But the question is – earlier the animals were important in the farming because of their ‘draught power’. Due to mechanization of agricultural operations and declining farm sizes; they have lost importance.  Their dung was used as fertilizer but that is now replaced by Chemical fertilizers. Then how come, their contribution is increasing?

The answer is that there are changes in the utility of the livestock for farmers and also in food consumption. Due to rising income of the middle class, more and more people are consuming the livestock products such as milk, meat and eggs. This is evident from the increased share of animal products in the total food expenditure of the people both in urban as well as rural India. This is new economy and policy makers are taking a serious note of this. [currentuser_id]