Photo from Nitya Sambamurti Ghotge
0 views
Skip to first unread message
Nitya Ghotge
Dec 7, 2025, 8:50:59 AM12/7/25
to life-egroup
Aaron Levenston famously wrote that “Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital.” What does Animal Husbandry Statistics 2025 conceal about the true health of Indian Livestock sector?
The total milk production increased by 8.57 Million Tonnes (MT) (from 239.30 MT to 247.87 MT). When I break this down at species level using 2024-25 data, exotic & Crossbred Cows contributed ~4.24 MT. Buffaloes Contributed ~2.55 MT. Indigenous and Non-Descript Cows contributed ~1.78 MT. The growth engine is now the Crossbred Cow (growing at 4.97%), while the Buffalo sector (growing at 2.45%) is dragging the average down.
Uttar Pradesh, the country's largest producer, has effectively stopped growing (0.05% growth). In a normal year, UP would add ~1.5 MT of milk. This year, it added almost nothing. Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh massively over-performed, growing at nearly double the national rate (~6% vs 3.58%).
The strong growth in the West (Rajasthan/Gujarat) and Central India (MP) barely offset the collapse in the North (UP), resulting in the "moderate" 3.58% national average. Uttar Pradesh is the "Buffalo Capital" of India. The stagnation in UP correlates with the broader struggle in the buffalo sector.
The egg data shows stark reality on the ground. Egg production is no longer an "agricultural" activity; it is an industrial one. Commercial poultry contributed 84.49% of production (with Andhra Pradesh dominating the share as a commercial poultry hub), while backyard Poultry contributed only 15.51%.
West Bengal, the 4th largest producer, shrank by ~1.5%. This is critical because West Bengal represents "Backyard Poultry" (traditional farming). Its decline, contrasted with Andhra's industrial boom, confirms a disconcerting fact: Small-scale poultry farming is losing ground to factory farming.
Meat production grew at 2.46%, which is sluggish compared to Eggs (4.44%) or Milk (3.58%). If Poultry (which usually grows fast) is half the basket, and the total growth is only 2.46%, it implies that Red Meat (Buffalo/Goat/Sheep) production is likely stagnant or declining. The "Meat" statistics are being propped up almost entirely by chicken. West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh are heavily reliant on Goat and Buffalo meat respectively. The two largest meat producers (West Bengal & UP) are effectively stagnant. Telangana, usually a meat powerhouse, saw its production contract by ~1%. This is a major red flag for the state's livestock sector, likely due to disease or fodder costs.
Wool production is barely growing (2.63%) and is geographically fragile.
Rajasthan alone produces 47.85%. The second-largest producer, J&K, is growing very slowly (1.8%). A drought or disease in Rajasthan (like the heatwaves of 2024) can effectively wipe out the wool sector. We need a lot of institutional investment to revive wool production.
Special thanks to S RAJESHWARAN for sharing his insights which made me probe this deeper.
The total milk production increased by 8.57 Million Tonnes (MT) (from 239.30 MT to 247.87 MT). When I break this down at species level using 2024-25 data, exotic & Crossbred Cows contributed ~4.24 MT. Buffaloes Contributed ~2.55 MT. Indigenous and Non-Descript Cows contributed ~1.78 MT. The growth engine is now the Crossbred Cow (growing at 4.97%), while the Buffalo sector (growing at 2.45%) is dragging the average down.
Uttar Pradesh, the country's largest producer, has effectively stopped growing (0.05% growth). In a normal year, UP would add ~1.5 MT of milk. This year, it added almost nothing. Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh massively over-performed, growing at nearly double the national rate (~6% vs 3.58%).
The strong growth in the West (Rajasthan/Gujarat) and Central India (MP) barely offset the collapse in the North (UP), resulting in the "moderate" 3.58% national average. Uttar Pradesh is the "Buffalo Capital" of India. The stagnation in UP correlates with the broader struggle in the buffalo sector.
The egg data shows stark reality on the ground. Egg production is no longer an "agricultural" activity; it is an industrial one. Commercial poultry contributed 84.49% of production (with Andhra Pradesh dominating the share as a commercial poultry hub), while backyard Poultry contributed only 15.51%.
West Bengal, the 4th largest producer, shrank by ~1.5%. This is critical because West Bengal represents "Backyard Poultry" (traditional farming). Its decline, contrasted with Andhra's industrial boom, confirms a disconcerting fact: Small-scale poultry farming is losing ground to factory farming.
Meat production grew at 2.46%, which is sluggish compared to Eggs (4.44%) or Milk (3.58%). If Poultry (which usually grows fast) is half the basket, and the total growth is only 2.46%, it implies that Red Meat (Buffalo/Goat/Sheep) production is likely stagnant or declining. The "Meat" statistics are being propped up almost entirely by chicken. West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh are heavily reliant on Goat and Buffalo meat respectively. The two largest meat producers (West Bengal & UP) are effectively stagnant. Telangana, usually a meat powerhouse, saw its production contract by ~1%. This is a major red flag for the state's livestock sector, likely due to disease or fodder costs.
Wool production is barely growing (2.63%) and is geographically fragile.
Rajasthan alone produces 47.85%. The second-largest producer, J&K, is growing very slowly (1.8%). A drought or disease in Rajasthan (like the heatwaves of 2024) can effectively wipe out the wool sector. We need a lot of institutional investment to revive wool production.
Special thanks to S RAJESHWARAN for sharing his insights which made me probe this deeper.
“Life is not measured by the number of breaths you take but by the moments that take your breath away."
Maya Angelou
Nitya Sambamurti Ghotge
10,Lantana Gardens , NDA Road , Bavdhan , Pune 411021
Selvarajan Rajeshwaran
Dec 7, 2025, 9:35:03 AM12/7/25
to life-egroup
Growth in milk production from Crossbred cows is a dead story with hybrid vigour gone after F1 generation.
Further, cow vigilantism is taking a toll with negative value of old unproductive cows.
Now for three consecutive years growth in total milk production is on a down trend.
Country all set to become milk deficit a.k.a. pulses and edible oils.
Dr. S Rajeshwaran BVSc PGDRM PhD (IIMB)
Dr Waran's Livestock Management Consultancy
Dr Waran's Livestock Management Consultancy
Bangalore
9483503392
9483503392
--
You may add to the issues we deal with, or like to deal with. We are: "LIFE - A Network of NGOs and individuals dealing with AnGR and allied issues including pastoralism, CPR, Communities, Breed Societies and livelihoods"
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "LIFE Group" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to life-egroup...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/life-egroup/CAOHhcmFm7xbaFnwHz8jC1_fiSt45MP8s8O0ekGVLa82u2sumkw%40mail.gmail.com.
Dr. Mahadev Pachegaonkar
Dec 8, 2025, 5:17:02 AM12/8/25
to life-...@googlegroups.com
coincides with soil degradation and low nutrient density of feed and fodder
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages