Karnataka > Animal Husbandry
Livestock rearing plays a very vital role in rural economy in supplementing family income from agriculture and also providing employment. Farmers are dependent on animal husbandry activities to utilise agricultural by-products and crop residues to convert them into animal products with good returns. The Chalukyas and the Rashtrakutas In historical times donated cows in thousands (gosahasra) and the gosasa stones are found in hundreds to commemorate this act. These cows were donated to villagers all over their empire to encourage animal husbandry. There was "benne chavadi", a department to collect ghee at the Mysore Court. Haider Ali made efforts to promote Amritmahal bullock breed which were excellent draught animals.
As per 1997 Livestock Census, the livestock and poultry population in the State is 285.52 lakhs and 187.55 lakhs respectively. The number of cattle, buffaloes, sheep, and pigs were 10,248 4,126, 7,443, 4,452 and 347 thousands respectively. (See Page No. 22 & 23 for details). The spread of Veterinary services has resulted in the improvement of animal health. The State had a network of 3,638 Veterinary Institutions, comprising of 244 veterinary hospitals, 803 veterinary dispensaries, 2,018 primary veterinary centres, 400 artificial insemination centres and 73 mobile veterinary clinics during 1998-99. There were 6,577 attacks of various diseases resulting in 1,296 deaths. Vaccinations against outbreaks of various diseases were given to about-215 lakh animals. A total of 22 lakh artificial inseminations were done and 2.68 lakh calves were born.
Cattle development is carried out mainly through artificial insemination technique. Frozen semen technology has been adopted. There are about 2,054 veterinary institutions providing artificial insemination facility to animals. Indigenous breeds such as Hallikar, Amritmahal, Khillari, Krishna Valley and Deoni are being improved by selective breeding.
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