Animal Husbandry: National Rankings, Breeds, and GVA

5.1 Rajasthan's Livestock Position

Rajasthan holds 10.60% of India's total livestock population — the third largest livestock population among Indian states. This reflects the state's pastoral and semi-pastoral traditions, especially in arid and semi-arid zones.

National share of key species:

Species	Rajasthan's Share	National Rank
Camel	84.43%	#1 (uncontested)
Cattle	7.24%	—
Buffalo	12.47%	Top 3
Goat	14%	Top 2
Sheep	10.64%	Top 3

Source: 20th Livestock Census 2019; Rajasthan Economic Review 2025-26, Chapter 4

5.2 Milk Production: #2 in India

Rajasthan ranks #2 in India for milk production, contributing 14.44% of national milk production (2022-23). The state's milk output is approximately 32,000 MT per day, with Jaipur, Ajmer, Bikaner, and Sikar being major dairy districts.

• Milk's share in livestock GVO: 80.17% — overwhelmingly dominant
• Rajasthan Cooperative Dairy Federation (RCDF): Umbrella apex body; manages Saras brand dairy products. Operates 21 district milk unions, with Jaipur, Bikaner, and Ajmer milk unions being the largest.
• Cattle breeds for dairy: Rathi (best indigenous dairy breed; 6-8 litres/day), Tharparkar (dual purpose; 4-6 litres/day), Gir (Gujarat origin, widely used in Rajasthan), Sahiwal (Punjab origin, used in Rajasthan too).

Operation Flood and White Revolution impact: Rajasthan's dairy cooperative network expanded post-Operation Flood (1970-1996), transitioning from subsistence dairying to commercial dairy.

5.3 Wool Production: #1 in India

Rajasthan is India's #1 wool-producing state, contributing 47.98% of national wool production (2022-23). This is not merely a statistic — Rajasthan produces nearly half of India's wool output, underpinning the national textile and carpet industry.

• Key wool breeds: Malpura, Chokla, Sonadi, Jaisalmeri, Magra, Nali (the "Nali" breed produces carpet-quality wool used in Jaipur carpet exports).
• Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute (CSWRI): Located at Avikanagar (near Malpura, Tonk district) — India's premier wool research institution. Works on breed improvement, disease management, and wool processing technology.
• Rajasthan Wool Development Board: Promotes sheep rearing, wool marketing, and shearing infrastructure.
• Wool composition in livestock GVO: Part of the "Others" (6.41%) category.

5.4 Camel Economy

The camel is Rajasthan's state animal. With 84.43% of India's camel population, Rajasthan dominates camel-based livelihoods. However, the camel population has been declining — from 6.74 lakh (2003 Census) to 2.13 lakh (2019 Census) — a 68% decline over 16 years, attributed to declining military and transport use, land fragmentation reducing grazing, and drought cycles.

National Camel Research Centre (NRCE), Bikaner (ICAR institution) — works on camel milk, genetics, and livelihood support for pastoral communities.

5.5 Livestock GVA: Structural Significance

Livestock GVA at current prices: ₹1.98 lakh crore (2024-25) — a figure that now exceeds the crop sector's GVA. This is a structural indicator: Rajasthan's animal husbandry sector has grown faster than crop agriculture, driven by:

• Rising milk procurement prices and cooperative expansion
• Growth in goat and sheep meat export demand
• Government support via Gaushalas (cattle shelters) funding

GVO (Gross Value of Output) composition, Rajasthan livestock sector:

Component	Share of Livestock GVO
Milk	80.17%
Meat	12.80%
Eggs	0.62%
Others (wool, dung, draught work)	6.41%

Source: Rajasthan Economic Review 2025-26, Chapter 4

---