Livestock Economy

Livestock is intrinsically linked to Rajasthan's agricultural economy — particularly in the arid west where crop agriculture is unreliable and animal husbandry provides the primary income buffer. Agriculture in Rajasthan cannot be discussed without livestock.

8.1 National Rankings in Livestock

Parameter	Rajasthan's National Rank	Data
Total livestock population	#2 (after Uttar Pradesh)	~577 lakh animals (Livestock Census 2019)
Wool production	#1	~45% of India's total wool production
Goat population	#1 or #2	Major goat-rearing state
Camel population	#1	~83% of India's camel population; declining from ~5 lakh to ~2.25 lakh (2012–2019)
Sheep population	#1 or #2	Major sheep-rearing state; Marwari and Chokla breeds
Buffalo population	Major state	—

Source: 20th Livestock Census 2019, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying

8.2 Important Livestock Breeds of Rajasthan

Animal	Breed	Origin District	Characteristic
Cattle	Tharparkar	Barmer, Jaisalmer	Dual-purpose (milk + draught); white/grey; high milk yield in arid conditions; also found in Pakistan's Sindh
Cattle	Rathi	Bikaner, Sri Ganganagar, Hanumangarh	"Surkhi of Rajasthan"; highest-yielding indigenous cattle in India's arid zone (~8–10 litres/day)
Cattle	Nagauri	Nagaur	Draught breed; famous for traction power; bulls used for agriculture
Bull	Haryanvi (partial)	Bharatpur, Alwar	Crop zone work animal
Camel	Bikaneri	Bikaner	Riding and pack camel; the "ship of the desert"
Horse	Marwari	Jodhpur, Barmer, Pali	Unique inward-turning ear tips; war horse of Rajput armies; rare breed
Sheep	Chokla	Sikar, Jhunjhunu, Nagaur	"Merino of India"; finest wool quality among Indian breeds
Sheep	Jaisalmeri	Jaisalmer, Barmer	Adapted to hyper-arid conditions; medium-quality wool
Sheep	Malpuri	Tonk, Bundi	Medium wool; draught capacity
Goat	Jamunapari	Bharatpur, Alwar, Karauli	Tallest Indian goat; milk + meat production
Goat	Sirohi	Sirohi, Pali	Meat breed; fast-growing

Source: National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR); Rajasthan Animal Husbandry Department

8.3 Wool Economy

Rajasthan produces approximately 45% of India's total wool output. Key facts:

• The sheep breeds primarily producing wool: Chokla, Jaisalmeri, Malpuri, Magra
• Bikaner, Sri Ganganagar, Nagaur, Barmer, and Jaisalmer are the primary wool-producing districts
• Rajasthan Wool Development Board coordinates wool production, testing, and marketing
• Carpet-quality wool comes from Bikaner (Bikaner carpet industry is nationally known)
• Wool quality has declined as crossbreeding for meat has reduced pure wool-breed populations

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