Huge disparity found in livestock census and NSSO data

The figures in the 19th livestock census report and the recently released survey report by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) don’t tally. While the census report that was released this September shows that number of sheep and goats stood at 200 million in the 2012-13, the 70th round of National Sample Survey showed a huge decline in their number to 99 million.

Similarly, the census report shows the number of poultry at 729 million in 2012-13, while NSSO survey shows a huge decline in their number at 255 million (see table).

The livestock sector contributes nearly 25.6 per cent (at current prices) of total value of output in agriculture, fishing and forestry sector. The overall contribution of livestock sector in total GDP was 4.11 per cent at current prices during 2012-13.

The 19th census of livestock started in 2012 and the results were announced in September 2014. The NSSO survey report was released in December.