Indians are opting more for exotic and crossbred cattle than the desi ones, as per the latest livestock census report. While the population of desi cattle in India has declined by nearly one crore in the last seven years — between the last livestock Census in 2012 to the current one in 2019 to be precise — the population of exotic and crossbred cattle has witnessed an increase of 1.14 crore during the same period. Interestingly, the overall livestock numbers have, however, increased with the female cow population registering an 18 percent rise.

The total livestock population is 535.78 million, an increase of 4.6 percent, as compared to the previous census.  As per the report, the population of desi cattle is estimated at 142.11 million compared to the previous 2012 census figure of 151.17 million. There is a decline of 6 % in the total Indigenous/non-descript cattle population over the previous census. However, the pace of decline of Indigenous/ Non-descript cattle population during 2012-2019 is much lesser than as compared to the 2007-12 which was about 9 percent.  The population of desi cattle is decreasing since 1992, when it population was recorded at 189.37 million. 

The 20th Livestock Census was carried out in about 6.6 lakh villages and 89000 urban wards across the country covering more than 27 crores of households and non-households.

The female cattle or cow population is 145.12 million which an increase of 18 percent over the previous census while total milch animals (cows and buffaloes) is estimated 125.34 million, an increase of 6 percent over the last census.  This is an indicator that farmers prefer to crossbreds to get more milk. According to farmers, indigenous cow gives 700-800 litres over a 300-305 days lactation cycle, compared to 4000-5000 litres of crossbreds.

The latest census also points that the exotic and crossbred cattle population has jumped to 50.42 million in 2019 as compared to 39 million in 2012.

The total bovine population (cattle, buffalo, mithun and yak) is 302.79 million which shows an increase of about one percent over the last census.  The total number of cattle in the country is 192.49 million, an increase of 0.8 percent as compared to the last census. The population of buffaloes  is 109.85 million showing an increase of about 1.0 percent over previous census.

The total population of sheep is 74.26 million, an increase of 14.1 percent while goat population is 148.88 million, an increase of 10.1 percent over the previous census.  There is a decline of 12.01 percent in pig's population in the country.  Pig is 9.06 million in the country while the combined population of other livestock including mithun, yak, horses, pornies, mule, donkeys and camel is 1.24 million.

As per the report, the total poultry in the country is 851.81 million, an increase of 16.8 percent from 729.2 million in 2012.  The total birds in the backyard poultry is 317.07 million which is showing an increase of 46 percent as compared to the previous census. On the other hand, the total commercial poultry is 534.74 million which is an increase of 4.5 percent over previous census.

In 2012, India's livestock population — including cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats, pigs, horses and ponies, mules, donkeys, camels, mithun and yaks - was 51.2 crore, a fall of 3.3% over the previous census, conducted in 2007. Cattle count declined from 19.9 crore in 2007 to 19 crore in 2012.

The Livestock Census has been conducted in the country periodically since 1919-20. The Livestock Census covers all domesticated animals and its headcounts. So far 19 such censuses have been conducted in participation with State Governments and UT Administrations.

Officials said that the enumeration was done both in rural and urban areas.  "Various species of animals (Cattle, Buffalo, Mithun, Yak, Sheep, Goat, Pig, Horse, Pony, Mule, Donkey Camel, Dog, Rabbit and Elephant)/poultry birds (Fowl, Duck, Emu, Turkeys, Quail and other poultry birds) possessed by the households, household enterprises/non-household enterprises and institutions have been counted at their site," they said.