1. Introduction to Animal Husbandry

  • Animal Husbandry refers to the practice of breeding and raising livestock for agricultural purposes.
  • It includes Dairy farming, Poultry farming, Apiculture (beekeeping), and Sericulture (silk production).
  • Animal husbandry plays a crucial role in employment, nutrition, and economic development.

2. Dairy Farming

  • Dairy farming involves the production of milk from domesticated animals.
  • Common dairy animals: Cows, Buffaloes, Goats.
  • Major dairy breeds in India:
    • Cows: Gir, Sahiwal, Red Sindhi, Jersey.
    • Buffaloes: Murrah, Jaffarabadi, Mehsana.
  • Milk is processed into butter, cheese, yogurt, and ghee.
  • Artificial Insemination is used to improve dairy productivity.
  • India is the world's largest producer of milk (White Revolution).

3. Poultry Farming

  • Poultry farming involves raising birds like chickens, ducks, turkeys, and quails for meat and eggs.
  • Popular poultry breeds in India:
    • Egg-laying breeds (Layers): White Leghorn, Rhode Island Red.
    • Meat-producing breeds (Broilers): Cornish Cross, Plymouth Rock.
  • Battery cages and free-range farming are common rearing methods.
  • Vaccination prevents diseases like Ranikhet, Fowl Pox, and Avian Influenza.
  • India ranks among the top egg and chicken meat producers in the world.

4. Apiculture (Beekeeping)

  • Apiculture is the practice of rearing bees for honey, wax, and pollination services.
  • Common bee species used in apiculture:
    • Apis dorsata (Rock bee) - produces large amounts of honey.
    • Apis cerana indica (Indian bee) - commonly domesticated.
    • Apis mellifera (European bee) - high honey production.
  • Honey is valued for its nutritional and medicinal properties.
  • Beeswax is used in cosmetics, candles, and pharmaceuticals.
  • Bees help in pollination, increasing crop yield.

5. Sericulture (Silk Production)

  • Sericulture is the process of rearing silkworms for silk production.
  • The primary silkworm species used is Bombyx mori.
  • Types of silk produced in India:
    • Mulberry silk - most common, produced from Bombyx mori.
    • Tasar silk - from Antheraea mylitta.
    • Eri silk - from Philosamia ricini.
    • Muga silk - exclusive to Assam.
  • The silkworm feeds on mulberry leaves and spins cocoons of silk fibers.
  • India is the second-largest silk producer in the world.
  • Silk is used in textiles, embroidery, and luxury garments.

6. Conclusion

  • Animal Husbandry is essential for economic growth, rural employment, and nutrition.
  • Advancements in genetics, breeding, and disease control have improved productivity.
  • Government schemes like National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and Rashtriya Gokul Mission support the sector.

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