Technology Options for Sustainable Livestock Production in India Technology Options for Sustainable Livestock Production in India Technology National Centre for Agricultural Economics and Policy Research Library Avenue, Pusa, New Delhi 110 012, India International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics Patancheru 502 324, Andhra Pradesh, India Systemwide Livestock Program International Livestock Research Institute National Centre for Agricultural Economics and Policy Research Addis Ababa, Ethiopia International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics ISBN 92-9066-444-4 Order Code CPE 137 144–2002 International Livestock Research Institute Cover-finnew.p65 1 4/18/02, 3:03 PM About NCAP The National Centre for Agricultural Economics and Policy Research (NCAP) was established by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) with a view to upgrade agricultural economics research through the integration of economics input in the planning, design, and evaluation of agricultural research programs, and to strengthen Citation: Birthal, P. and Parthasarathy Rao, P. (eds). 2002. Technology options for sustainable the competence in agricultural policy analysis within the Council. The Centre is assigned livestock production in India: proceedings of the Workshop on Documentation, Adoption, and a leadership role in this area, not only for various ICAR institutions, but also for the Impact of Livestock Technologies in India, 18–19 Jan 2001, ICRISAT-Patancheru, India. State Agricultural Universities. In order to make agricultural research a more effective New Delhi 110 012, India and Patancheru 502 324, Andhra Pradesh, India: National Centre instrument for agricultural and rural change and to strengthen policy-making and for Agricultural Economics and Policy Research and International Crops Research Institute for planning machinery, NCAP undertakes and sponsors research in agricultural economics the Semi-Arid Tropics. 220 pp. ISBN 92-9066-444-4. Order code CPE 137. relating to problems of regional and national importance. About ICRISAT The semi-arid tropics (SAT) encompasses parts of 48 developing countries including most of India, parts of southeast Asia, a swathe across sub-Saharan Africa, much of southern and eastern Africa, and parts of Latin America. Many of these countries are among the poorest in the world. Approximately one-sixth of the world’s population lives in the SAT, which is typified by unpredictable weather, limited and erratic rainfall, and nutrient-poor soils. ICRISAT’s mandate crops are sorghum, pearl millet, finger millet, chickpea, pigeonpea, and groundnut; these six crops are vital to life for the ever-increasing populations of the SAT. ICRISAT’s mission is to conduct research that can lead to enhanced sustainable production of these crops and to improved management of the limited natural resources of the SAT. ICRISAT communicates information on technologies as they are developed through workshops, networks, training, library services, and publishing. ICRISAT was established in 1972. It is one of 16 nonprofit, research and training centers funded through the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). The CGIAR is an informal association of approximately 50 public and private sector donors; it is co-sponsored by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the World Bank. About the SLP Poverty, food insecurity, and a deteriorating environment threaten the livelihoods and even the lives of millions of rural people in developing countries. Smallholder farmers in The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and not necessarily those of NCAP or ICRISAT. The designations employed and the presentation of the materials in this these countries have few resources or opportunities to improve their situation, but one publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of NCAP or option is widely available: by integrating crop and livestock production, farmers can improve ICRISAT concerning the legal status of any country, city, or area, or of its authorities, or concerning their farm productivity while protecting their natural resources. the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Where trade names are used this does not constitute Linking the livestock-related research of its partners worldwide, the Systemwide endorsement of or discrimination against any product either by NCAP or by ICRISAT. Livestock Program of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) is a unique vehicle for enhancing the contribution of animal agriculture to the CGIAR’s objectives of increasing food production, eradicating poverty, and protecting the environment. Coververso.p65 1 4/17/02, 1:44 PM Black Technology Options for Sustainable Livestock Production in India Proceedings of the Workshop on Documentation, Adoption, and Impact of Livestock Technologies in India ICRISAT-Patancheru, India 18–19 January 2001 Edited by Pratap S Birthal P Parthasarathy Rao NCAP National Centre for Agricultural Economics and Policy Research Library Avenue, Pusa, New Delhi 110 012 ICRISAT International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics Patancheru 502 324, Andhra Pradesh Systemwide Livestock Program International Livestock Research Institute Addis Ababa, Ethiopia 2002 i Acknowledgements We are grateful to Dr William D Dar, Director General, ICRISAT, for his thought-provoking inaugural speech and support for the workshop. Our sincere thanks to Dr JM Lenne, Deputy Director General (Research), ICRISAT; Dr MCS Bantilan, Director, SEPP, ICRISAT; and Dr Mruthyunjaya, Director, NCAP, who have been a source of constant encouragement and have provided the required logistics support. ICRISAT and NCAP gratefully acknowledge the funding provided by the Systemwide Livestock Program (SLP) for the workshop under the project on Livestock Productivity in Mixed Crop-Livestock Systems in South Asia. We would like to thank Drs Mruthyunjaya and PK Joshi (NCAP), Dr R Bandhopadhyay (ICRISAT), Dr M Blummel (ILRI), and Dr D Thomas (NRI, UK) for their invaluable critical inputs on early drafts. We thank Mr VN Krishnan for administrative support, Ms Shubha Rao Benipuri for editing, and Mr TR Kapoor and his team at the Public Awareness Office (ICRISAT) for design and layout of the book. We are grateful to all the lead paper authors and participants who made the workshop possible. Pratap S Birthal P Parthasarathy Rao ii Contents Foreword............................................................................................................v Introduction and overview of the conclusions...................................................1 Pratap S Birthal and P Parthasarathy Rao Economic contributions of the livestock subsector in India..............................12 Pratap S Birthal and P Parthasarathy Rao Technological change in India’s livestock subsector: Evidence and issues......20 Pratap S Birthal Crossbreeding of indigenous Indian cattle with exotic breeds to increase milk production: a critical analysis.................................................41 M P G Kurup Milk production technology and its impact on dairying in Tamil Nadu...........58 R A Christopher Dhas Impact of mechanization on draught animal power use in agriculture..............69 Gyanendra Singh Livestock technologies for small farm systems.................................................78 H P S Arya, M P Yadav and R Tiwari Technological developments in the poultry subsector......................................90 Raj Vir Singh, V K Saxena and D Sharma Goats in India: Status and technological possibilities for improvement...........104 Shalander Kumar and K P Pant Enhancing productivity of sheep: Technology dimensions...............................113 B U Khan, A L Arora and R C Sharma Conservation of farm animals in India: Challenges and strategies...................125 R Sahai Potential of nutritional technologies in improving livestock productivity........132 Khub Singh and C S Prasad Oilseed cakes for improving animal nutrition...................................................147 D M Hegde iii Status of forage breeding technologies in India................................................154 N P Melkania and G P Shukla Potential technological and management interventions for improving the productivity of grasslands....................................................164 P S Pathak Conversion from free range grazing to managed feeding: technological and institutional issues................................................................183 Ranjitha Puskur Food processing technologies for the sustained growth of dairying.................198 B N Mathur and Alok Jha List of participants.............................................................................................212 iv Foreword Livestock are an integral part of agriculture in India, and are likely to be the instruments of future growth and development of the agricultural sector. They generate employment, provide draft power and manure, and earn foreign exchange through exports. Although the per capita consumption of foods of animal origin is low in India, demand has been rising due to the growing human population, sustained growth in per capita incomes, and increasing urbanization. This demand- driven growth, besides improving food and nutritional security, can benefit millions of landless