Animal Husbandry, Livestock Breeds and Dairy Development in Rajasthan

1. Economic Significance of Livestock & 20th Livestock Census (2019)

Economic Backdrop & Rural Livelihoods

- **Share in Gross State Value Added (GSVA):** Agriculture and allied sectors contribute approximately 27% to Rajasthan GSVA, within which the **Livestock sub-sector contributes an impressive 46.41%**. In Rajasthan, animal husbandry frequently surpasses the crop cultivation sector in total value of agricultural output. - **Drought Cushion in Arid Ecosystems:** In Western Rajasthan (Thar Desert), where rainfall is erratic and crop failures are endemic, animal husbandry serves as the lifeline for rural households, providing continuous food, nutrition, and drought insulation. - **National Contribution:** - **Milk Production:** Rajasthan contributes around **14.64% to 15.05%** of India total milk yield (vying closely with Uttar Pradesh for the top rank). - **Wool Production:** Rajasthan is the undisputed national leader, producing approximately **45.91%** of India total wool clip. - **Meat Production:** Contributes approx. 6.01% to national meat production (ranked 11th). - **Egg Production:** Ranks 13th contributing around 2.68%.

Key Findings of the 20th Livestock Census (2019)

- **First Digital Census:** Conducted electronically via tablet PCs by the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD) and the Board of Revenue, Ajmer. - **Total Livestock Population:** - 19th Census (2012): 57.73 million (577.32 Lakh) - 20th Census (2019): **56.78 million (567.76 Lakh)** - **Net Change:** Recorded a contraction of **-1.66%**. - **National Share & Rank:** Rajasthan accounts for **10.60%** of India total livestock wealth, ranking **2nd in the country** after Uttar Pradesh. - **Livestock Density:** The state average density is **166 animals per square kilometre**. - Highest density: Rajsamand (292) and Dausa (281) - Lowest density: Jaisalmer (62) and Bikaner (102)

Species-wise Breakdown and National Standings (2019 Census)

Livestock Species Population in Rajasthan National Rank Share of India (%) Change over 2012 (%) Top Districts Lowest Districts
Goat 20.84 million (208.40 L) 1st 14.00% -3.81% Barmer, Jodhpur Dholpur
Cattle (Cows) 13.94 million (139.37 L) 6th 7.23% +4.41% Bikaner, Jodhpur Dholpur
Buffalo 13.69 million (136.93 L) 2nd 12.47% +5.53% Jaipur, Alwar Jaisalmer
Sheep 7.90 million (79.04 L) 4th 10.64% -12.95% Barmer, Jaisalmer Banswara
Camel 0.21 million (2.13 L) 1st 84.43% -34.69% Jaisalmer, Barmer Pratapgarh
Horses & Ponies 0.034 million (0.34 L) 3rd 9.80% -10.85% Bikaner, Barmer Dungarpur
Donkey 0.023 million (0.23 L) 1st 18.70% -71.31% Barmer, Jaisalmer Tonk
Poultry 14.62 million (146.23 L) 17th 1.71% +82.23% Ajmer, Jhunjhunu Karauli

2. Indigenous Cattle Breeds of Rajasthan

Rajasthan is blessed with world-renowned drought-resilient milch, dual-purpose, and draft cattle breeds.

Core Breeds and Attributes

1. **Tharparkar:** - **Tract:** Barmer, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Western Thar desert (origin: Tharparkar district in Sindh). - **Type:** Premier milch & dual-purpose. Known locally as 'Malani' or 'White Sindhi'. - **Traits:** Medium build, entirely white to light grey, lyre-shaped horns, phenomenal heat tolerance and disease resistance. - **Breeding Center:** **Chandan (Jaisalmer)** and Suratgarh (Sri Ganganagar). 2. **Rathi:** - **Tract:** Bikaner, Sri Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, Anupgarh. - **Type:** The **Kamadhenu of Rajasthan**; highest milk-producing indigenous breed. - **Lineage:** Natural synthesis of Red Sindhi, Sahiwal, and Tharparkar. - **Traits:** Brown/reddish coat with white patches, loose dewlap, docile temperament. - **Breeding Center:** **Nohar (Hanumangarh)** and Bikaner. 3. **Gir (Renda / Ajmera):** - **Tract:** Ajmer, Bhilwara, Chittorgarh, Rajsamand (origin: Gir forest, Gujarat). - **Type:** Milch. Known locally as 'Renda' or 'Ajmera'. - **Traits:** Distinct convex bulging forehead, long pendulous drooping ears folded like a leaf, horns curving backwards. - **Breeding Center:** **Dag (Jhalawar)** and Ramsar (Ajmer). 4. **Kankrej:** - **Tract:** Jalore, Sanchore, Barmer, Pali, Sirohi (origin: Rann of Kutch). - **Type:** Heaviest Indian cattle breed, dual-purpose. - **Traits:** Lyre-shaped heavy horns, majestic pride gait celebrated as **'Sawai Chaal'**. - **Breeding Center:** **Chohtan (Barmer)**. 5. **Nagauri:** - **Tract:** Nagaur, Didwana-Kuchaman, Jodhpur, Nokha (origin: Suhalak region). - **Type:** **Premier Draft Breed of India**. - **Traits:** White coat, flat narrow face, strong muscular shoulders. Renowned nationally for swift agricultural and load-hauling endurance. - **Breeding Center:** **Nagaur**. 6. **Malvi:** - **Tract:** Jhalawar, Kota, Baran, Chittorgarh (Hadoti and Malwa plateau). - **Type:** Heavy draft breed. Greyish-white compact physique. - **Breeding Center:** **Dag (Jhalawar)**. 7. **Mewati (Kothi):** - **Tract:** Alwar, Bharatpur, Deeg (Mewat tract). Dual-purpose. - **Breeding Center:** **Kumher (Deeg/Bharatpur)**. 8. **Hariana:** - **Tract:** Sikar, Jhunjhunu, Churu, Alwar, Jaipur Rural. Dual-purpose breed with a prominent bony crown on forehead.

3. Buffalo Breeds of Rajasthan

Buffaloes comprise 24.1% of state livestock but contribute over 50% of the total milk production in Rajasthan.

  1. Murrah (Khundi / Black Beauty):
    • Tract: Jaipur, Alwar, Bharatpur, Dausa, Ganganagar.
    • Traits: Jet black coat, tightly curled short spiraled horns, thin tail with a white switch. Highest milk yielder globally.
    • Breeding Center: Kumher (Deeg/Bharatpur) and Dag (Jhalawar).
  2. Surti:
    • Tract: Udaipur, Rajsamand, Chittorgarh, Bhilwara.
    • Traits: Medium stature, distinctive sickle-shaped flat horns, two white chevron collars around neck and brisket.
    • Breeding Center: Vallabhnagar (Udaipur).
  3. Bhadawari:
    • Tract: Bharatpur, Dholpur, Chambal-Yamuna ravines.
    • Traits: Copper-colored coat (Badami), wedge-shaped body. Celebrated for the highest milk fat percentage (up to 12-14% fat) among buffaloes.
  4. Jafrabadi:
    • Tract: Udaipur, Dungarpur, Banswara, Sirohi. Heaviest buffalo breed with dropping heavy horns.
  5. Mehsana:
    • Tract: Jalore, Sanchore, Barmer. Cross between Murrah and Surti; famous for elongated lactation persistence.

4. Sheep Breeds: The Wool Heritage

Rajasthan produces nearly 46% of India total wool.

  1. Chokla (Merino of India):
    • Tract: Sikar, Jhunjhunu, Churu, Nagaur (Shekhawati).
    • Wool: Finest apparel wool in India. Brown/black patch on head (Chhapar). Breeding center at Kodamdesar (Bikaner).
  2. Magra (Bikaneri Chokla / Chakri):
    • Tract: Bikaner, Nagaur, Churu, Jaisalmer.
    • Wool: World-class lustrous carpet wool, forms the backbone of the Bikaner carpet manufacturing trade. Brown ring around eyes.
  3. Nali:
    • Tract: Hanumangarh, Sri Ganganagar, Churu (Ghaggar river basin).
    • Wool: Long staple, yellowish coarse wool, long drooping ears.
  4. Jaisalmeri:
    • Tract: Jaisalmer, Barmer, Jodhpur.
    • Wool: Highest wool yield per sheep. Prominent Roman nose and hardy drought adaptability.
  5. Marwari:
    • Tract: Jodhpur, Barmer, Pali, Jalore, Nagaur.
    • Wool: Comprises nearly 50% of state sheep herd. Black face, high disease immunity, excellent walking endurance.
  6. Sonadi (Chanothar):
    • Tract: Udaipur, Dungarpur, Banswara, Chittorgarh.
    • Traits: Very long ears that touch the ground while grazing (Chanothar). Dual purpose for coarse wool and meat.
  7. Malpura:
    • Tract: Tonk, Jaipur, Sawai Madhopur. Very coarse wool used for felt and namdas.

5. Goat Breeds: Walking Fridge of the Desert

Goats represent 20.84 million animals, ranking 1st in India.

  1. Jakhrana (Behror):
    • Tract: Kotputli-Behror, Khairthal-Tijara, Alwar.
    • Traits: Shining black with white spots on muzzle and ears. Highest daily milk yielder (3 to 5 liters/day) in Rajasthan.
  2. Sirohi:
    • Tract: Sirohi, Jalore, Pali, Ajmer.
    • Traits: Brown coat with white/light spots, slight depression (Jhol) in backline. Nationally preferred meat breed. Breeding center at Ramsar (Ajmer).
  3. Marwari:
    • Tract: Western Rajasthan. All-black coat, beard present, hardiest desert breed with maximum disease resistance.
  4. Shekhawati:
    • Tract: Sikar, Jhunjhunu, Churu.
    • Traits: Naturally hornless (polled) breed developed through selective breeding by CAZRI scientists.
  5. Barbari (City Goat):
    • Tract: Bharatpur, Dholpur, Sawai Madhopur.
    • Traits: Compact deer-like ears and eyes, prolific twinning, ideally stall-fed in urban settings.
  6. Jamnapari:
    • Tract: Hadoti region (Kota, Baran, Jhalawar). Tallest goat breed with convex Roman nose and long pendulous ears.

6. Camels and Horses: Desert Heritage

Camel: State Animal (Livestock Category)

- **Official Declaration:** Declared as Rajasthan State Animal (Livestock Category) on **30 June 2014** (Gazette notification on **19 September 2014**). - **Legislation:** 'The Rajasthan Camel (Prohibition of Slaughter and Regulation of Temporary Migration or Export) Act, 2015'. - **Key Breeds:** - **Nachna (Jaisalmer):** World-renowned for graceful gait, beauty, and riding speed; deployed by the Border Security Force (BSF). - **Gomath (Phalodi):** Acclaimed for speedy riding and heavy draft pulling. - **Bikaneri:** Comprises around 50% of camel stock. Characterized by a distinctive skull depression termed **'Zihan'**. - **Jaisalmeri:** Renowned for travelling miles across sandy dunes without exhaustion. - **Cultural & Pastoral Dimensions:** - **Raika / Rebari:** Traditional camel pastoralist community. - Folk deity **Pabuji** is venerated as the pioneer who introduced camels to Rajasthan. - **Surra (Trypanosomiasis / Tibarsa):** Major fatal protozoan disease in camels. - **Gorbandh:** Famous ornamental neck harness of camels. - **Usta Art:** Golden miniature embossing craft on camel leather at Bikaner.

Horse Breeds

- **Marwari Horse:** Celebrated for inwards curving ears that touch at tips, immense loyalty, martial agility, and regal bearing. - **Kathiawari Horse:** Inhabits southern borders (Jalore, Sirohi); compact and agile. - **Malani Horse:** High-grade breeding stock from Gudamalani and Siwana in Barmer.

7. Apex Research Institutions, Breeding Centers & Semen Banks

National Institutes (ICAR)

1. **Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute (CSWRI):** Avikanagar, Malpura (Tonk) - Est. 1962. 2. **National Research Centre on Camel (NRCC):** Joharbeed, Bikaner - Est. 5 July 1984. 3. **National Research Centre on Equines (NRCE - Equine Campus):** Bikaner - Est. 1989. 4. **Central Institute for Research on Goats (CIRG Regional Center):** Avikanagar (Tonk).

State Breeding Farms & Infrastructure

- **Tharparkar Cattle:** CCBF Suratgarh and LRS Chandan (Jaisalmer). - **Rathi Cattle:** Nohar (Hanumangarh) and Bikaner. - **Gir Cattle:** Dag (Jhalawar) and Ramsar (Ajmer). - **Murrah Buffalo:** Kumher (Deeg/Bharatpur) and Dag (Jhalawar). - **Surti Buffalo:** Vallabhnagar (Udaipur). - **Central Frozen Semen Bank:** Bassi (Jaipur). - **Regional Semen Bank:** Mandore (Jodhpur). - **RAJUVAS (Veterinary University):** Bikaner (2010); second university at Jobner (Jaipur Rural).

8. Dairy Development & Rajasthan Co-operative Dairy Federation (RCDF)

Institutional Evolution & Operation Flood

- **RCDF Establishment:** Set up in **1977** under the Companies Act following the Anand Three-Tier cooperative model under NDDB guidance: 1. Village level: Primary Dairy Cooperative Societies (DCS). 2. District level: District Cooperative Milk Producers' Unions. 3. State level: Apex Rajasthan Co-operative Dairy Federation (RCDF). - **Brand Identity:** RCDF markets its dairy output under the state-wide brand **'Saras'**. - **Historical Milestone:** First cooperative dairy was **Padma Dairy** established in **Ajmer (1932)**. - **Specialized Units:** Camel milk dairy processing plant at Joharbeed (Bikaner) and goat milk plant at Ramsar (Ajmer).

9. Major State Livestock Fairs of Rajasthan

Organized by the Animal Husbandry Department:

  1. Shri Veer Tejaji Fair (Parbatsar, Didwana-Kuchaman): Largest cattle fair by revenue; trade of Nagauri bullocks and Bikaneri camels.
  2. Shri Mallinath Fair (Tilwara, Balotra): Oldest cattle fair on Luni river bank; trade of Tharparkar cattle and Malani horses.
  3. Pushkar Fair (Ajmer): World-famous colorful cultural-livestock congregation during Kartik Purnima.
  4. Gomati Sagar & Chandrabhaga Fairs (Jhalrapatan, Jhalawar): Major trading centers for Malvi cattle.
  5. Gogamedi Fair (Nohar, Hanumangarh): Longest running fair (approx. 1 month); Rathi and Hariana breeds.
  6. Shri Ramdev Fair (Manasar, Nagaur): Celebrated for pristine Nagauri draft cattle.
  7. Shri Jaswant Exhibition Fair (Bharatpur): Murrah buffaloes and Hariana cattle.

10. Welfare Policies, Insurance & Conservation

  1. Mukhyamantri Kamdhenu Pashu Bima Yojana: Provides free livestock insurance cover of Rs 40,000 per animal for up to 2 milch cows/buffaloes per household.
  2. Mukhyamantri Pashudhan Nishulk Dawa Yojana: Operational since 15 August 2012 providing free veterinary medicines across government clinics.
  3. Ushtra Sanrakshan Yojana: Financial incentive of Rs 10,000 (two installments) to camel herders on the birth of camel calves.
  4. Gopalan Department: Rajasthan became the first state in India to establish a dedicated Department of Gopalan in 2014.