DAHD hosts strategic workshop for 21st Livestock Census

New Delhi: The Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD) hosted a pivotal workshop aimed at strategizing and empowering the States and Union Territories for the upcoming 21st Livestock Census. This significant event took place on June 25, 2024, at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. 

The primary objectives of the workshop were to equip State and Union Territory officers with the necessary tools, including a mobile app and software, to efficiently conduct the 21st Livestock Census. Participants were trained on data collation strategies to ensure the collection of high-quality data and were familiarized with various registered breeds.

The 21st Livestock Census, scheduled for September to December 2024, will incorporate mobile technology for data collection and transmission, enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of the process across all villages and urban wards in the country.

Lalan Singh, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, emphasized the significance of India’s livestock sector for its economy and food security. He emphasized the need for careful planning and implementation of the census, highlighting that the collected data would be pivotal in shaping future strategies and tackling sectoral challenges.

S.P. Singh Baghel stressed the importance of thorough grassroots-level training and capacity building. He commended the department for organizing the strategic workshop and encouraged active participation among attendees to enhance their skills.

George Kurian highlighted the need to incorporate sustainable practices in the livestock sector. He noted that census data would contribute to the National Indicator Framework of Sustainable Development Goals, aligning with national and global sustainability objectives.

Alka Upadhyaya, Secretary of the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, reiterated the department’s commitment to using technology for precise and efficient data collection. She emphasized the collective responsibility of stakeholders in ensuring the success of the 21st Livestock Census, crucial for shaping future policies and programs. Upadhyaya urged the adoption of advanced technologies to ensure census success.

The workshop covered methodologies and guidelines for the census, training on mobile applications and dashboard software, and an open discussion for addressing queries. It began with an overview of the census by the Animal Husbandry Statistics Division, followed by a detailed presentation from the ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR) on breed details for census coverage.

Accurate breed identification was emphasized as critical for generating precise statistics used in various livestock sector programs and the National Indicator Framework (NIF) for Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).

The event also featured senior officers of DAHD, Principal Secretaries/Secretaries from States and Union Territories, members of the Technical Committee for the 21st Livestock Census, and the Registrar General of India. The Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying invited all stakeholders to participate in this crucial workshop to ensure the successful implementation of the 21st Livestock Census.