- November 23, 2024
Punjab Launches 21st Livestock Census: Focus on Women in Animal Husbandry and Digital Data Collection
Punjab’s Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development, and Fisheries Minister, S. Gurmeet Singh Khudian, inaugurated the 21st Livestock Census from Sri Muktsar Sahib district on Saturday, marking a significant step in modernizing animal husbandry data collection and integrating gender-based insights.
Key Highlights of the Census:
- Comprehensive Coverage:
- The census will record 16 species of animals and poultry across their breeds.
- For the first time, pet dogs will be categorized by breeds. Cattle in Gaushalas and those owned by nomadic tribes will also be counted separately.
- Focus on Women’s Role:
- This census will include the critical contribution of women in animal husbandry, a first in Punjab’s livestock data collection history.
- Digital Data Collection:
- Building on the precedent set in 2019, the 2024 census will be conducted entirely digitally through a mobile application, capturing animals’ breeds and other characteristics.
- Extensive Field Survey:
- A large team has been deployed for this operation, including one state nodal officer, five zonal nodal officers, 23 district nodal officers, 392 supervisors, and 1,962 enumerators.
- Enumerators will visit approximately 65 lakh households to collect data on animals, poultry, and farmers’ dependence on livestock.
- Data and Timeline:
- The census will collect information about livestock-related implements and is expected to be completed by February 2025.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister Khudian highlighted that the census would provide valuable insights for policymaking in the livestock sector. “This survey is crucial for understanding the current status of Punjab’s livestock and identifying areas for improvement and support,” he said.
Expert Supervision:
Director Animal Husbandry, Dr. Gursharanjit Singh Bedi, stated that all officers have been trained for efficient data collection. Principal Secretary Rahul Bhandari and Special Secretary Harbir Singh will oversee the entire process to ensure accuracy and efficiency. Dr. Bedi emphasized that the census findings would guide future policies for the welfare of Punjab’s livestock farmers.
The inclusion of women’s contributions in animal husbandry, along with the digital execution of this extensive census, represents Punjab’s commitment to modernizing its livestock sector. The initiative is expected to empower farmers and improve the welfare of animals across the state.
