Animal Husbandry

Animal husbandry involves controlled management and breeding of animals, involving enhancing traits and qualities desirable for the purpose of farm utility and obtaining food for human consumption. It involves improving genetic traits and behavior of animals which are considered to be of value in terms of food and other products for humans.

Animal husbandry includes selective breeding and raising livestock and birds such as chicken, turkey, duck, etc., to enhance the qualities of animals for the purpose of farm utility, research, food, and sports. It has been the alternative means of livelihood for majority of the rural population apart from agriculture and allied activities. Animal Husbandry plays a vital role in providing employment, especially self-employment, with high participation of women. Livestock products also play a vital role in export earnings.

Since many years animal husbandry has been an important supplement to agriculture. Traditional livestock management utilized agricultural residue such as husk, oilseeds meals, grasses, and other wild herbs to feed the animal population. But this trend has been changing in recent years. Animal husbandry is transforming into a highly sophisticated industry. Customized feed to optimize milk and meat yield are being developed for increasing profitability. Feed additives are being utilized to ensure balanced nutrition for animals to increase their immunity to various diseases and enhance productivity. Automation is adopted in the process of screening, mulching, sorting, and packaging of products to suffice massive demand for products sourced from animals.