Making livestock production profitable under the small holder production system

2^nd International Conference on Animal & Dairy Sciences

September 15-17, 2014 Hyderabad International Convention Centre, India

Mohammed Hafeez

Keynote: J Veterinar Sci Technolo

Abstract :

India with its meager natural resources has to support about 17 per cent of the world?s human and 15 per cent of the livestock population. Fifty per cent of the total rural workforce and 60 per cent of livestock in the country are concentrated in the dry districts, where agriculture is dependent on the vagaries of monsoon. More than two thirds of farm households are associated with livestock and the possession of livestock by the poor is more egalitarian than land. Livestock production is predominantly dominated by small and marginal farmers who account for 85 per cent of the total holdings. In spite of many disadvantages facing the livestock industry, India ranks 1st in milk production, 5th in egg production and 8th in broiler production. Animal products play an important role in the socio-economic life of India. Exports of animal products worth Rs. 20778.39 Crores in 2012-13 represent an important and significant contribution to the Indian Agriculture sector. The productivity of livestock in the country is very low than world average and improving livestock productivity is a major challenge but it is imperative considering the stress on available resources and the climate change. The necessity has arisen to bestow special focus on livestock and fisheries production and product processing technologies. Genetic improvement and conservation of indigenous cattle and buffaloes for higher milk production are seen as major research issues so also the establishment of open nucleus herds for important indigenous breeds in their native tracts. India is poised to become the number one exporter of buffalo meat in the world. Special focus should be initiated for salvaging the male buffalo calves as a major source of meat. Similarly, the meat production from sheep and goats is far below their genetic potential. Subsidized feed supply and buy back arrangements can help improving growth rate and meat yield from these two species. The policies and programmes should aim at improving artificial insemination efficiency and its spread by establishing more number of training institutions. Development of semen sexing technology, optimum utilization of crop residues using the technologies already developed, production of high yielding fodder seeds, popularization of ration balancing programmes, utilization of slaughter house byproducts and hotel wastes in poultry and swine production, establishment of more number of mechanized slaughter houses, large scale adoption of culture-based capture fisheries and cage culture in reservoirs and large water bodies etc., are desirable to meet the challenge of feeding a huge population. The Indian food processing sector will record an annual average growth of 15 percent over the next five years warranting the need to improve basic infrastructure, particularly for scientific slaughter to meet global quality and hygiene standards.

Biography :

Mohammed Hafeez started his career as Veterinary Assistant Surgeon in Animal Husbandry Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh and served as Research Assistant/Instructor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor and Professor and University Head in Parasitology. He occupied positions of administration such as Associate Dean (Principal), Dean of PG studies, Officer on Special Duty for the newly formed Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Dean of Veterinary Science and Director of Research of Vety. University, Tirupati and also occupied the highest position of Vice Chancellor I/c of Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University, Tirupati. Prof. Hafeez was conferred with many Medals and Awards like: Life Time Achievement Award, Recognition for Excellence in Life Science, Emeritus Scientist Award, Eminent Scientist Award, Bharat Ratna Dr. C. Subramaniam Award for outstanding Teachers, Smt. Nishamani Parija Oration award, G.D. Bhale Rao Gold Medal Award, National Environmentalist Award, A.P. State Best Teacher Award, Dr. B.P. Pandey Memorial Oration Award, Prof. B. V. Rao Gold Medal Award, Scientist of the year award, Prize certificate for the Best Paper presented on work done on Hydatidosis in India at Argentina, World Environmental Congress Award etc. Two parasites names were conferred on him as ?Diplopylidium hafeezi? and ?Cotugnia hafeezii?. He served as President of Indian Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology and Helminthological Society of India.