An analytical study on the impact of animal husbandry on economic upliftment of Munger and Samastipur districts

Abstract

Livestock has played an indispensable role in the Indian economy. Animal husbandry is culturally and economically integrated into the society. Livestock is a source of protein, livelihood and draught power. Diverse enterprises like Apiculture, Sericulture, and Pisciculture have been reared traditionally for many years. Indigenous stock has higher resistant to diseases and can better adapt to climate change. They act as a buffer to crop failure and sudden monetary losses. Rearing a wide variety of animals like yaks, camels and Mithun apart from cattle, sheep and goat are unique characteristics of animal husbandry in India. Technological backwardness, financial constraints, and inadequate veterinary services are few issues that hinder the progress in the sector.Study was undertaken for identification of role of livestock towards sustainable livelihood of the two districts of Bihar. Livestock which play socially and economically very significant role in Indian agriculture and also have pivotal role due to providing multi-functional outputs like nutritive rich food and helps in supplementing family incomes vis-à-vis contribution to socio-cultural and livelihood security. In this paper the authors tries to identify and prioritize the socio-economic condition of farmers in generating livelihood from livestock production systems and social and economical impact of livestock on the farmer livelihood. From 38 districts of Bihar state, Munger and Samastipur was purposively selected and from that two blocks each were selected randomly. A total of 120 farmers were selected as sample respondents for the present study. Data was collected by interview schedule, personal observations and participatory rural appraisal tools i e transect walk, key informant interview, focus group discussion.