Animal husbandry in Odisha presents significant opportunities for employment, offering various self-employment avenues such as dairy farming, sheep farming, goat farming, poultry farming, and pig farming. This industry plays a crucial role in poverty reduction and job creation. In Odisha, livestock products account for more than 20% of the total agricultural output. Livestock farming is predominantly rural, making substantial contributions to food security, sustainability, and fulfilling various social, economic, and cultural responsibilities within these communities. Livestock products also contribute significantly to a well-rounded and balanced diet.
Livestock rearing is a livelihood-intensive sector in Odisha, with approximately 80% of rural households owning some form of livestock to support their family income. Animal husbandry and poultry farming are expected to play a vital role in augmenting the limited income and employment opportunities available to small and marginal landholders. In rural Odisha, animal husbandry stands as the most significant economic sector, contributing around 4% to the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP).
The Directorate of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, operating under the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services in Odisha, is responsible for implementing programs that focus on breeding, feeding, and livestock and poultry management using scientific methodologies. Efforts are being made to enhance dairy and poultry development operations, aiming to improve livestock productivity in terms of milk, meat, and egg production. These initiatives contribute to overall food production and play a crucial role in alleviating rural poverty.
The agency operates 540 Veterinary Hospitals/Dispensaries and 2,939 Animal Aid Centers, with a significant number of them located in the KBK (Kalahandi-Balangir-Koraput) districts. These facilities provide essential veterinary services to livestock, ensuring their well-being and contributing to the overall growth and development of the livestock sector in Odisha.
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Livestock Diversity in Odisha
Odisha, with its rich and diverse cultural heritage dating back to ancient times, boasts abundant rivers and dense forests that have facilitated the development of a wide range of cattle and poultry species. The state’s animal genetic resources have been further enriched through the importation of diverse species by the maritime community of the ancient Kalinga Empire. Historical treatises and sculptures found on temples and other archaeological structures in Odisha provide evidence that various types of animals, including European draught horses and other valuable domestic animals, were imported to the region during the medieval era. Furthermore, different tribal ethnic groups have preserved distinct crop varieties and livestock populations for thousands of years. The recent importation of exotic and improved animal species, sponsored by both missionaries and the government, has further enhanced the livestock resources of Odisha.
The state benefits from a strong agricultural and livestock foundation that is characterized by abundant biodiversity. Odisha’s sheep and goats are renowned for their resistance to common internal parasites. They are also highly populous and exhibit excellent adaptability to waterlogged conditions. Similarly, many cow and buffalo breeds found in Odisha possess favorable traits for growth, reproduction, and survival in hot and saline environments. Various buffalo species have been identified in different regions of the state. Odisha also possesses a rich collection of poultry germplasm, which has been nurtured for centuries by tribal communities in Koraput, Kalahandi, Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Phulbani, and Sundergarh.
Cattle Germplasm
- Motu Breed: Small, milk and draught breed, live on scanty grazing under open conditions throughout the year and are regular breeders.
- Binjharpuri Cattle Breed: A smaller upgraded Haryana type animal.
- Ghoomsori Cattle Breed: Small size, hardy draft breed of Ganjam, Phulbani districts, Odisha extending into Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh.
- Khariar Breed: Small sized compact and draught purpose breed.
Buffalo Germplasm
- Parlakhemundi Breed: Medium sized, swamp type to look, milch breed. They are best road grazers, regular breeders.
- Manda Breed: Medium sized, breed on hills and forests, hardy and live without housing facilities, best drought ability. Prospectus to improve milk yield is existing. They are having highest fat of South Odisha breeds. Very small population existing.
- Jirangi Breed: Small sized, hardy draught purpose, fast working animals bred on hills and high altitude with high fat % in milk.
- Kalahandi Breed: Medium sized, very hardy slow working, draught type breed. Well known for longevity.
- Kujang Breed: Medium sized, relatively less compact, stand on flood and graze on the river banks, medium milking breed.
Goat Germplasm
- Black Bengal Goat: Small, highly prolific, early prolific, early maturing goat, stands well to water logging conditions. The breed thrives well on grass grazing. Chevon and skin is valued.
- Malkangiri Goat: Early maturing, prolific, kidding twice in 14 months, mostly twins, heavy chevon goats.
- Raigarh Goat: Early maturing, prolific, kidding twice in 14 months, mostly twins sometimes triplets, good milk goat and good chevon quality.
- Ganjam Breed: Leggy, low prolificacy, late maturing, annual single kidding, slow growing goat with aggressive grazing habit. Goatish odour present.
- Narayanpatna Breed: A mutton type prolific breed, twin kidding, 14 to 15 month two kiddings, large goat with good udder and teats.
- Koraput Hill Goat: Early maturity, prolific, kidding twice in 14 months, mostly give twins, fastest growing goats for chevon production.
Sheep Germplasm
- Kuzi Sheep Breed: Wooly, little breed, highly prolific and best adapted to coastal region.
- Ganjam Sheep Breed: Hairy, short tail, medium type, less prolific annual single lambing, mutton sheep solely live on roadside grazing (in rains).
- Koraput Sheep Breed: Coarse wool to hairy, short tail, small to medium size, annual single lambing sheep for mutton.
- Machkund Strain: Coarse wool, short tail, small size, highly prolific strain, early maturity, Koraput sheep twice lambing in 14 months, some twins and very rarely triplets, mutton type sheep solely live on grazing.
Poultry Germplasm
- Kalahandi Breed: Smallest, early maturing, prolific, high hatchability, fast growing birds living on scrap feeding. Good predator escaping ability.
- Vezaguda Breed: Medium size, quick growing, prolific, high hatchability, game type bird.
- Dhinkai Breed: Large size, quick growing, least feathers, less prolific and low hatchability birds and are individual home fed.
- Hazra Breed: Medium to large size, quick growing, prolific poultry breed in Mayurbhanj district. The breast muscle is prominent.
- Phulbani Breed: Medium in size, high prolific mostly with rose comb found in Phulbani district.
Dairy Development in Odisha
The dairy subsector plays a vital role in the rural economy of Odisha. In 2013–14, the value of dairy sector output from milk alone was approximately Rs. 5583.00 crores at current prices, and this value does not even account for the additional contributions from by-products such as fuel, manure, draught power, skins, and hides. Despite the fluctuating growth rate of agriculture, the dairy sector has shown consistent growth over the years. It has exhibited steady and sustainable development, even with relatively low investment compared to the agriculture sector.
The Odisha State Cooperative Milk Producers’ Federation Ltd., known as OMFED, is responsible for milk processing and marketing in the state. OMFED was established in 1980 as part of Operation Flood–II, a nationwide dairy development program. Since its inception, OMFED has served as the apex dairy cooperative in the state, dedicated to the socio-economic progress of dairy farmers and fulfilling the consumer demand for high-quality pasteurized milk and delicious milk products. As of March 2015, OMFED had successfully organized 5,409 self-governing village-level dairy cooperative societies with a total of 2,77,117 farmer members. These cooperatives collectively purchase an average of 5.50 lakh liters of milk each day, ensuring a steady market for the dairy farmers and contributing to the overall growth of the dairy sector.
Over the years, milk production in Odisha has shown significant growth, indicating the importance of the dairy sector in the state. From 1903 thousand MT in 2014–15, milk production has increased to 2402 thousand MT in 2021–22, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.4 percent. Cow milk constitutes the majority, accounting for approximately 88 percent of the total milk production, while buffalo milk contributes around 12 percent.
The per capita availability of milk in the state has also seen a positive trend, rising from 114 grams per day in 2012–13 to 135 grams per day in 2021–22. Although this indicates an improvement, it is still lower than the national average per capita milk availability, which stood at 406 grams per day in 2019–20. This highlights the potential for further increasing milk production and productivity in Odisha.
To bridge this gap and meet the nutritional requirements of the people in the state, there is a need to focus on enhancing milk production and productivity. Adopting good agricultural practices, such as improved animal husbandry techniques, better feed management, and healthcare for dairy animals, can contribute to achieving this goal. Additionally, promoting dairy farming as a viable livelihood option and providing farmers with access to training, financial support, and modern dairy infrastructure can further boost milk production in the state.
By emphasizing the importance of the dairy sector and implementing strategies to enhance milk production and productivity, Odisha can not only meet the increasing demand for milk but also improve the nutritional status of its population while contributing to the overall development of the agricultural sector.
Fishing and Aquaculture
Odisha, located on the east coast of India, is an agro-maritime state with a strong focus on agriculture and fishing. Fishing is a thriving industry in the region, thanks to its long coastline spanning approximately 480 kilometers and the presence of several major rivers such as the Subarnarekha, Budhabalanga, Baitarani, Brahmani, Mahanadi, Rushikulya, and numerous smaller rivers. These rivers converge with the Bay of Bengal, providing fertile fishing grounds. Additionally, the world’s largest brackish water lake, Chilika, is renowned for its abundance of fish. With around 80 percent of the state’s population consuming fish, it is evident that fishing holds significant cultural and economic importance, particularly for the fishing community.
Odisha is blessed with various water bodies suitable for different types of fishing activities. These include small and large ponds, small to medium-sized reservoirs, and an extensive coastal belt suitable for both brackish water aquaculture and deep-sea fishing. The state has approximately 7.04 lakh hectares of freshwater resources and 4.18 lakh hectares of brackish water resources, providing ample potential for fish production through capture fisheries, aquaculture, and culture-based capture fisheries.
By harnessing these resources effectively, there is great potential to increase fish production to meet both domestic and export market demands. This would not only boost the economy but also create employment and income-generating opportunities for the rural poor, women, and youth, contributing to their socio-economic well-being. Moreover, it would enhance food and nutrition security for the state and beyond.
The government of Odisha has set ambitious targets for the fishing sector, aiming to double inland fish production and triple the current level of exports. The sector already contributes 12 percent to the total Gross Value Added (GVA) of agriculture and allied activities in the state. In the year 2022–23, fishing and aquaculture accounted for 2.7 percent of the total Gross State Value Added (GSVA), and the sector experienced the highest growth rate of 13.3 percent in GSVA.
By promoting sustainable fishing practices, providing necessary infrastructure, technological advancements, training and capacity-building programs, and facilitating access to credit and markets, Odisha can unlock the full potential of its fishing industry. This will not only drive economic growth but also support the conservation of aquatic resources and the overall development of coastal communities in the state.