Union Minister Inaugurates Workshop for 21st Livestock Census Preparation

New Del:Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, inaugurated a workshop at Vigyan Bhawan today, aimed at strategizing and empowering States and Union Territories (UTs) for the preparation of the 21st Livestock Census. The workshop also saw the launch of a mobile application developed for data collection for the upcoming census. Ministers of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel and Shri George Kurian, were also in attendance.

Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh highlighted the significance of the livestock sector to India’s economy and food security. He stressed the need for meticulous planning and execution of the census, noting that the data collected would be vital for shaping future initiatives and addressing challenges within the sector. The workshop, he informed, aims to ensure a coordinated and efficient approach to the census, scheduled to take place from September to December 2024.

Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel addressed the participants, emphasizing the necessity for comprehensive training and capacity building at the grassroots level. He praised the department’s efforts in organizing such a strategic workshop and encouraged active participation to enhance understanding and capabilities.

George Kurian focused on the integration of sustainable practices within the livestock sector. He highlighted that the census data would contribute to the National Indicator Framework of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aligning with broader national and global sustainability targets.

Alka Upadhyaya, Secretary of the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, underscored the importance of leveraging technology for accurate and efficient data collection. She emphasized the collective responsibility of all stakeholders to ensure the success of the 21st Livestock Census, which will play a critical role in shaping future policies and programs for the Animal Husbandry sector.

The workshop featured detailed sessions on methodologies and guidelines for the 21st Livestock Census, training on the mobile application and dashboard software, and an open house discussion to address queries and concerns. The Registrar General of India acknowledged the comprehensive ecosystem built for the 21st Livestock Census.

The Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, conducted this comprehensive workshop, which included a series of sessions beginning with an overview of the 21st Livestock Census by the Animal Husbandry Statistics Division. This was followed by a presentation from ICAR-National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR) on the breed details of species to be covered in the census. The importance of accurate breed identification was emphasized, as it is crucial for producing precise statistics used in various livestock sector programs and for the National Indicator Framework (NIF) of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).