The survey will cover 15 species ranging from cattle and buffaloes to elephants and various poultry birds including exotic species like ostrich and emu. The highlight of the census is its focus on 219 indigenous breeds across 16 species.

21st Livestock: The central government is starting the country's most comprehensive livestock census from October 25 (Friday). For the first time, data on livestock farming communities and counting of men and women involved in livestock farming will be done. A government statement said that in the 21st livestock census, which will run from October 2024 to February 2025, about one lakh field officers, mainly veterinarians and para-veterinarians, will be deployed to conduct door-to-door census in all villages and urban wards.

mobile devices will be used

Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Rajiv Ranjan Singh, also known as Lallan Singh, will launch the initiative in New Delhi. In a major technological upgrade, the census will use mobile devices for collection and transmission of data aimed at improving accuracy and efficiency. The survey will cover 15 species ranging from cattle and buffaloes to elephants and various poultry birds including exotic species like ostrich and emu.

Focus on 219 indigenous breeds

A major highlight of the census is its focus on 219 indigenous breeds across 16 species, recognized by the ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR). Breaking new ground, this will be India's first livestock census that will independently look at data on livestock holdings by pastoralists.

The last census was completed in the year 2019.

Apart from this, it will mainly document the gender-based nature of the persons involved in animal husbandry, which will provide information about the role of women in animal husbandry. The livestock census, conducted every five years since 1919, serves as an important policy-making medium for the animal husbandry sector. The last census was completed in the year 2019.