This document summarizes the response to Lok Sabha Admitted Question No. 259 regarding the livestock census in India, answered on July 22, 2025, by the Minister of States for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel. The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) conducts a quinquennial Livestock Census. The fieldwork for the 21st Livestock Census commenced in October 2024, and the data compilation and processing are currently underway. The census findings will be utilized for planning, formulation, trend identification, resource allocation, and target allocation in future livestock development, dairy sector, and veterinary health policies. The response confirms that the government has conducted a recent census and will use the data to inform future policy.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying: The central ministry responsible for fisheries, animal husbandry, and dairying in India.
Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying: A department under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, responsible for policies and programs related to livestock and dairy development.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the question was admitted.
21st Livestock Census: The latest livestock census conducted by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, with fieldwork started in October 2024.
SHRI CHARANJIT SINGH CHANNI: The Member of Parliament who raised the question about the livestock census.
SHRI PROF. S. P. SINGH BAGHEL: The Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying who provided the answer.
Punjab: A state in India mentioned in the question regarding comparison of livestock population.
Maharashtra: A state in India mentioned in the question regarding comparison of livestock population.
Uttar Pradesh: A state in India mentioned in the question regarding comparison of livestock population.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRYAND DAIRYING
DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRYAND DAIRYING
LOK SABHA
ADMITTED QUESTION No. 259
TO BE ANSWERED ON 22TH JULY, 2025
LIVESTOCK CENSUS
259. SHRI CHARANJIT SINGH CHANNI:
Will the Minister of FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
मत्स्यपालन, पशुपालन और डेयरी मंत्री
be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has conducted any recent census of the livestock population in the country;
(b) if so, the major findings of the latest Livestock Census, including trends in cattle, buffalo, goat, sheep
and poultry populations;
(c) the comparison of livestock population, particularly highlighting growth or decline State including
Punjab, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh; and
(d) the manner in which findings are being used to frame future livestock development, dairy sector and
veterinary health policies?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATES FOR FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY AND DAIRYING
(SHRI PROF. S. P. SINGH BAGHEL)
(a) To (c ) Yes Sir, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) conducts Livestock Census,
which is a quinquennial exercise. The fieldwork of 21st Livestock Census was started in October, 2024,
the data is being complied and processed.
(d) The census data is used for planning & formulation, trend identification, resource allocation and target
allocation
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