LIVESTOCK POPULATION ABOVE 31 CRORE BY 2015

The total livestock population in the country is likely to grow by over 11 per cent and touch 312 million by 2015, Assocham today said. "The total livestock population in India is currently about 280 million. It is likely to reach about 312 million by 2015," it said in a statement. Cattles constitute a share of about 60 per cent in the total livestock population followed by buffaloes, goats and sheep, it said. It also said that Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh alone account for about 35 per cent of the total population. "Growing population has resulted in an upward spiralling trend in demand and consumption of milk products, meat, eggs, and leather in India," it said. It said that there is a need to improve the productivity of grazing and pasture lands, besides promoting production of fodder crops. It has suggested for providing proper support to people engaged in this sector.