Livestock-population for the Sustainable Development of Kerala

Abstract

 Livestock have been an integral component of the agricultural and rural development of Kerala economy. They supply energy for crop production in terms of draught power and organic manure and in turn, derive their own energy requirements from crop by-products and residues. It is a source of food, raw material and by products in the form of hides and skins, blood, bone, fat, etc. The rate of increase in the demand for animal products is increasing globally. The livestock sector is also a major livelihood provider and an important secondary source of income and employment for rural families requires sustained growth. The supply demand gap and projected demand for livestock products necessitates the growth of this sector in a sustainable way in the state.