Impact of livestock on the economy of Ladakh

Dr . Shahid AhmadSCIENTIST (AGB) KVK-LEH,SKUAST-K

Land of high passes is the largest in area among the three main regions of the Jammu & Kashmir State

Population is about 2,80,000

2.25% population of the state

52% area of the state

Unique biogeographic region

Extremely harsh climatic conditions

Features of Cold Desert - Ladakh

Ladakh

Contd..

Sharp fluctuation in temperature (-37ºC to +38ºC)

Dry land - 90% of total geographical region

Precipitation - 80-300mm

Rain fed region- Huge barren lands

Agriculture - Uncertain

Livestock –Very important Ladakhs high altitude bestows it with a unique

biodiversity

Unique diversity of livestock Well adapted to the cold arid dry climatic

Multiple securities

Disease resistant

Drought resistant

Special traits

Well integrated with socio cultural life of the people

Livestock as life line ……

Diversity of livestock production system Agro-pastoral , Pastoral, Settled

Livestock and its inputs - a growing economic sector

90% of the farmers rear livestock for their livelihood

Livestock species Population

Cattle 47,151

Yak 18,877

Camel 189

Equine 11,075

Poultry 20,829

Total 98,121

Source: Animal Husbandry Deptt. Leh (2012-13)

Population status of livestock

Population status of Sheep and GoatLivestock Population

Chanthangai goat 1,88497

Malra goat 29274

Angora/Crosses 876

Alpine 2286

Changluk sheep 71797

Malluk sheep 26328

Merino crosses 5352Total 3,24410

Source: Sheep Husbandry Deptt. Leh (2012-13)

Multiple values are associated with pastoralism

Direct values

Livestock sales Products such

asMilk, meat

Employment Transport

Knowledge

Indirect values

inputs into Agriculture Wildlife Tourism

Biodiversity Nutrient cycling

Energy flow

Ecosystem services

Social and cultural values

Socioeconomic importance

Milk and milk products

Meat

Socioeconomic importance

Agricultural Land preparation

POLO-SPORTS LOAD CARRYING

Tourism

Socioeconomic importance

Livestock - backbone of our state economy

Livestock and its Derived products contribute 6.13 per cent of the state’s GDP

The sector contributes Rs. 3240 crore to the state economy at current price as per GSDP

Source: E.S 2012-13, Govt of J&K

Share of milk production

Total Kmr. Re-gion49%

Total Jamm

uRe-gion47%

Total LadakhRegion

4% Total Kmr. RegionTotal JammuRegionTotal LadakhRegion

Total estimated milk production of the State 1609.247 thousand MTs

Contribution of Ladakh region is about 4.00%

(64.369 thousand MTs)

Average per capita availability of milk g/day = 378 gms per day

National average = 356 g/day

Source: E.S 2012-13, Govt of J&K

Jammu 51%

Kashmir42%

Ladakh7%

Share of Meat Production Total estimated meat production of the

state is about 308.986 lakh kgs

Contribution of Ladakh region is about 7.00%

(21.641 lakh kgs)

Source: E.S 2012-13, Govt of J&K

Milk production

64.369 thousand MTs

Pashmina 0.456 lakh kgs

Wool 1.10552 lakh kgs

Mohair 0.00516 lakh kgs

Mutton 8.04803 lakh kgs

Total meat production 21.641 lakh kgs

Production of Livestock products during the year 2013-14

Source: Sheep Husbandry Deptt. Leh and E.S 2013-14, Govt of J&K

Estimated Economic status Livestock products

Economic value ( Rs. Crores )

Pashmina 6.67Wool 0.76Mohair 0.044

Meat 17.80

Hide and pelt 0.89

Milk and Milk products

3.15

Source: Sheep Husbandry Deptt. Leh (2013-14)

Estimated economic value ( Rs. Crores )

Pashmina wool Mohair Meat Hide and pelt Milk and

Milk products

02468

1012141618

6.67

0.760000000000009

0.044

17.8

0.893.15

Sales

Source: Sheep Husbandry Deptt. Leh (2013-14)

Total Rs. 29.314 Crores

Conclusions and Recommendation

Almost 90% of the farmers’ rear livestock for their livelihood.

Livestock is kept as a mean to social security, a way of saving and a sign of wealth and social status.

Animal wealth fulfills the diverse needs of Ladakhi’s with the result that there economy is mainly dependant on these animals.

This sector have the potential to change the outlook of the farmers with more income and also contribution to SGDP.

Need of the hour is to make livestock sector more remunerative, demand driven with maximum employment opportunities through diversified system.

Designing community-based breeding strategies for indigenous livestock .

Involving local communities and institutions in the programmes such as sire exchange to avoid in breeding, construction of sheep and goat pens to protect the livestock from intense winter, pasture development and conservation activities .

Contd..

For improving the genetic potential of local livestock species, artificial insemination and offering the services of superior quality sires during breeding season for selective breeding programmes are required.

Conservation strategies need to be strongly encouraged by incorporating the local communities and their knowledge system that play a vital role in Conservation of local species.

Contd..

THANK YOU