eChapters

Introduction Identification of animals is must as a requirement in the daily management to spot and identify a particular animal in a herd/group/flock. Objectives of Identification • Identification is done to carry out routine work efficiently. • For registration and recording of the parentage in breeding programme / birth • Identification required at time of transportation and Insurance and loan from Bank. • For individual feeding of animals. • During milking • During sale, for participation of animals in the rally, show and exhibition. • For treating the animal, heat detection etc. • It is necessary for in case of theft and loss of animal for complain and search of animal. Selection of Identification Method • Depends very much on Need and personal

Introduction Handling and restraining is done to perform different management technique like drenching, dressing, vaccination etc safely, correctly, quickly and painlessly. Procedure • Handling should be done gently • Animal should not be shouted or beaten, always try to call/speak before touching. • Approach animal from behind and from their left side • Head and neck portion should be handled first • Always  have the owner or attendant along with you while handling strange animals Common appliances used in controlling animals 1. Rope: essential tool most often used for restraining animals. Cotton rope is preferred for strength, safety and easy to make knots 2. Halter: It is used as a least harsh of all restrain methods for animals. Halter are used to teach the animal to lead, to routinely handle them for day t

Globally, the climate change is clearly evident in the form of changing weather pattern, and this has direct and indirect bearing on livestock production. Scientific evidence from multiple resources indicates that, without a doubt, climate is changing. It is also possible to suggest with increased confidence that climate is changing because of increased human activities which have serious repercussions on social and economic development. Greenhouse gases absorb heat from the sun in the atmosphere and reduce the amount of heat escaping into space. This extra heat has been found to be the primary cause of observed changes in the climate system over the 20th century. Livestock make a necessary and important contribution to global calorie, protein supplies and important micro nutrients such as B12, iron, calcium. They produce 17% of calories consumed globally and 33% of protein. Livestock can increase the world’s edible protein balance by transforming inedible protein found in forage into forms that people can digest. Climate change poses serious threats to livestock production. Various climate model projections suggest that by the year 2100, mean global temperature may be 1.1–6.4 °C

Livestock production plays a critical role in global food security and economic sustainability. However, various stressors can significantly impact the well-being and productivity of livestock animals. Stress in livestock can arise from various sources such as environmental conditions, management practices, transportation, social interactions, and disease. Understanding the impact of stress on livestock production is essential for ensuring animal welfare and optimizing productivity. Although many factors can be involved, climatic factors are among the first and crucial limiting factors of the development of animal production in warm regions. In addition, global warming will further accentuate heat stress related problems in livestock. The first and foremost stress the livestock are exposed as a result of climate change is the heat stress. Among the environmental variables affecting animals, heat stress seems to be one of the intriguing factors making animal production challenging in many geographical locations in the world. Although animals can adapt to the hot climate, nevertheless the response mechanisms that ensures survival are also detrimental to performance. The vulnerability

The body condition scoring (BCS) is a subjective estimate of the energy reserves in adipose tissues of an animal. It is an acceptive, non-invasive, quick and inexpensive method to estimate degree of fatness. It is a means of accurately determining body condition of dairy cows, independent of body weight and frame size. It is evinced that the profile of lactating cows in milch barn is different e.g. some may be in early lactation and the others may either be in mid or late lactation. The observations on body condition status of animal will help the manager to adopt corrective management measures, thus enabling to improve the production profile of an animal. Hence, body condition scoring may be used as an efficient tool in this regard. Although many may consider this as a nutritional management practice, but changing BCS have implications on milk yield, health, reproduction, longevity and overall profitability of an animal. Body Condition Scoring (BCS) is a system used to evaluate the overall health and nutritional status of animals by 

Poultry manure provides an ideal habitat for fly breeding due to high manure moisture leading to increased fly populationand fly menace in poultry farm. The moisture, temperature and humid condition play important role in fly breeding. The flies on poultry farms are unacceptable as they act as a reservoir of many diseases and spread diseases to birds and human beings. In addition to spread of diseases, fly are nuisance to birds as they distract the birds as well as poultry farm employees, nearby farms and residence (Berry, 2003). High fly population contribute tapeworm infestation in flock and disseminate bacterial (like salmonella, fowl cholera, etc.) and viral diseases (Bird flu, New Castle disease, etc. in flocks. Fly population also causes public health issue leading to pressure on poultry farmers to control fly population on poultry farms to acceptable level. The flies on poultry farm includes House fly (Muscadomestica), little house fly (Fanniacanicularis), Black Garbage fly (Hydrotaeaaenescens), Dump flies (H? aenescens, H? ignava, H? capensis), Drosophila flies (Drosophila repleta), Soldier fly (Hermetiaillucens), Stable flies (Stomoxyscalcitrans), Drosophila flies (Drosophila repleta) and Blow flies (Lucilia, Phormia, and Calliphora) and black flies. The Lucilia species include L? cuprina and L? sericata(Axtell, 1999). Among these, the most common

Introduction Livestock is a global resource with significant benefits to society in the form of food, income, nutrients, employment, insurance, traction, clothing and others. Livestock sector of India holds among one of the largest globally. Around 20.5 million people depend on it on livestock for their livelihood. Livestock farming contributed 16% of small farm income households compared to an average of 14% for all rural households. provides livestock Livelihood for two thirds of the rural population. Furthermore, it provides employment to around 8.8% of the workforce population in India. India has huge livestock populations. The livestock sector contributes 4.11% GDP and 25.6% of total agricultural GDP. Livestock count Livestock farming plays an important role in the farmers’ economy. The farmers in India Maintaining a mixed farming system, i.e

Animals are exhibited in various ways and events like in fairs, judging shows, in circuses, in zoos and as performing animals. Some famous animal fairs in northern part of the country are Sonepur cattle fair of Bihar. It is the largest cattle fair of Asia, held on the confluence of holy river Ganges and Gandak annually on KartikPoornima in the month of November for the trade of animals such as Cattle, horses,goats,donkeys,camels,birds and elephants. Haathi Bazaar is the major attraction of SonepurMela. Nagaur cattle fair held during the months of January and February. It is the second biggest cattle fair in India. Pushkar Cattle Fair,popularly known as camel fair held for five-days between the months of October and November. Cattle shows are organized time to time where animals are judged for their different characteristics, selecting for their best type, possessing true breed characteristics, dairy conformation, good temperament, proper growth and development according to its age, with optimum condition of fleshing and free from defects. To take part in such shows animals are transported to different places. So, apart from knowledge of restraining methods, concept related to ageing, animal handling (flight zone, point of balance) animal behavioural consideration and welfare indicators are of much importance for transporting and presenting animals in any show. Some of

Livestock plays a pivotal role in sustaining the livelihood of millions of people worldwide, particularly in rural and semi-urban communities. Beyond providing food products such as milk, meat and eggs, livestock also contribute to income generation, draught power, manure for agriculture and socio-cultural functions in many regions. The health and productive performance of livestock animals are central to achieving the economic, nutritional and ecological goals of animal husbandry. Any compromise in animal health or productivity directly impacts farmers’ income, food security, and national agricultural output. Animal health is the foundation of productive and sustainable livestock farming. Good health ensures animals can grow, reproduce and perform at their genetic potential. Conversely, disease, poor nutrition and environmental stress can severely reduce productivity and increase mortality. Common health challenges in livestock include infectious diseases (bacterial, viral, and parasitic), metabolic disorders and management- related stress conditions. Moreover, zoonotic diseases—those transmissible to humans— are of growing concern in the context of public health and food

A system of housing is more are less synonymous to the system of management of livestock. Housing is essential to protect the animals from adverse climatic condition (rains, hot and chilly winds). Housing also help to maintain normal health of animals by proper feeding watering and reducing environmental stresses.  Housing allows the animals for proper rest, moderate exercise, suitable micro-environment and proper ventilation which are essential for comfort of the animals. While selecting the site a site for establishment of a dairy farm some points should be considered regarding topography, soil, nearby market, availability of labour, electricity, water etc. The housing system can be divided in to two type viz. conventional housing and loose housing system. The conventional housing system may be single row or double row depending upon the number of animals. The dairy farm consists of various building for different classes of livestock like calf shed/ lamb/kid/piglet pens, milking barn, maternity pen, cow shed, heifer shed, shearing room, slaughter house of pig etc. The ancillary structure of  a farm  are stores for keeping feed materials, equipment, milk house, silo, generator room, pump houses, AI centers, workers retiring room, office etc. The floor should be impervious and non-slippery. The floor should have a gradient toward the drain of 1 in 40 in covered area and 1in 60 in the open area for easy drainage of urine and washing of animals. The roof should be light, strong

Animal and poultry feed and fodder production management is a vital aspect of the agricultural industry, playing a pivotal role in sustaining livestock health and productivity. This intricate domain encompasses a myriad of practices, technologies, and strategies aimed at producing high-quality feed and fodder to meet the nutritional needs of various animal species, ensuring their optimal growth, development, and overall well-being. Feed and fodder production management involves the cultivation, processing, and formulation of feed ingredients tailored to the specific dietary requirements of different animals. From traditional practices to modern, technology-driven methodologies, this field has evolved significantly to address the growing demands of an expanding livestock industry. The cornerstone of effective feed and fodder management

Animals worldwide provide meat, milk, eggs, draft power, skins, transportation, and a variety of other useful items. India has a vast livestock population with a diverse spectrum of species. Animal husbandry plays an important role in the life of rural farmers. Animal breeding is an area of science concerned with sound animal husbandry methods. Animal breeding is the use of genetics and reproductive physiology to improve the genetic makeup of animals. The goal of animal breeding is to improve not only individual animals, but the entire animal population. The breeder has two basic tools namely selection and breeding for genetic improvement of livestock. The kinds of selection are natural and artificial selection. In artificial selection, breeder has choice to choose superior animals over the average of population for desired traits and allow them to produce offspring for future generation. Animals are selected using four criteria (basis): individual selection, pedigree selection, family selection, and progeny testing selection. Individual selection selects animals based on their own performances.  Individuals are chosen through pedigree selection using ancestral records. In Family selection,

The agro-food & slaughter house animal by-product industry generates large amounts of waste that contribute to environmental contamination and leads to pollution. Animal byproduct production, as part of the meat and poultry processing chain, is huge. Animal fat waste constitutes some of the most relevant waste and the treatment of such waste is quite costly because environmental regulations are quite strict. Fossil fuels remain the main source of primary energy accounting for over 80 % of worldwide energy consumption. The continuous consumption of non-renewable resources is leading to their fast depletion while causing the accumulation of CO2 and other greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere. Also, energy demands are expected to rise by over 25 % by 2040, which claims for a shift toward the use of renewable and carbon-neutral fuels to ensure environmental and economic sustainability. About millions animals (cattle, sheep, pigs and goats) and poultry (mainly chickens and turkeys) were slaughtered various parts of countries. Such a high number of slaughtered animals produces enormous amounts of waste animal residue including fats that need to be treated to reduce pollution or recycled to

Livestock sector is an important subsector of the agriculture of Indian economy. It forms an important livelihood activity for most of the farmers, supporting agriculture in the form of critical inputs, contributing to the household, supplementing incomes, offering employment opportunities, and finally it acts as a supplementary and complementary enterprise. Livestock plays a vital role in the economic development of the country. Livestock Sector has continuously been growing and contributed 4.90% (at constant prices) of total GVA (Gross Value Added) in 2020-21 (Annual Report, 2021-2022). India ranks first among the world’s milk producing nations, achieving an annual production of 230.58 million tonnes of milk and with per capita availability of 459 gms/day during the year 2022-23 (Annual Report, 2022-2023). In India, livestock population includes cattle (193.46 million), buffalo (109.85 million), sheep (74.26 million) and goat (148.88 million) (20 th Livestock Census, 2019). The rapidly expanding demand for livestock products offers an opportunity as well as a challenge to livestock production. The livestock sector is moving towards specialization with the increasing involvement

Genetic characterization using DNA markers is a cutting edge technology that makes it possible to study animal variability at basic level. A genetic marker can be any stable and inherited variation which is measurable or detectable by a suitable method and can be used subsequently to detect the presence of a specific genotype or phenotype other than itself, which otherwise is non-measurable of very difficult to detect. Such variations exist at morphology, chromosome, biochemistry or DNA levels that can serve as genetic markers. Molecular markers are the markers that reveal variations at the DNA sequence level. The polymorphisms observed at the DNA sequence has many applications which include percentage determination, genetic distance estimation and evolution, determination of individual identity, identification of disease carrier (heterozygous) animals, determination of twin zygosity and freemartinism, gene mapping, marker assisted selection (MAS), sex determination, DNA fingerprinting and transgenic breeding. Gene mapping is a tool to identify the genes responsible for specific traits.  The genetic map is constructed from linkage relationship based on the frequency of meiotic exchange (amount of recombination) among linked traits. Genetic map helps

Animal flesh when consumed as food is known as meat. Meat was introduced into man’s diet early on during Stone Age when they were hunter and gatherer. Humans seem evolved to a meat diet based on the structure of teeth and the unsophisticated nature of our digestive system. Presently man used many varieties of animals’ species for producing meat however domesticated cattle, goat, sheep, buffalo, pig and poultry continue to be major contributor of meat to the ever increasing human population. Meat is one of the best and major sources of protein for human, meat protein content all the essential amino acid in required quantity and is easily assimilated by human guts. Fat is essential for development of flavor; at least the bare minimum is desire. Besides this it also has all the other crucial nutrients in smaller amount.  The essential elements of good quality meat are firm texture, moderate fat content, tender, good flavour, juiciness and normal meat odor, and to produce such meat it require proper care and management of meat animal. Hence, right and efficient management is to be given to the animals for producing better meat quality. Management broadly includes selection of genetically superior animals,

Selection is a phenomenon of giving preference to certain individuals in a population to reproduce over other individuals that are deprived of the opportunity to reproduce. In common parlance, it is the process to choose individuals from the herd that are going to produce the next generation and influence the performance of the herd. Performance of a herd is guided by the genes of the parents. In a herd, males give rise to more off springs and hence selection of males is an opportunity to boost cattle husbandry. The contribution of males to the inheritance of polygenic traits is equal with that of females. Hence, it is central to pay equal emphasis while selecting males and females. Selection of sire is more important than dam selection due to numerous reasons. The first reason is that a sire produces more numbers of progenies compared to one dam. Since a sire is called “half the herd”, it determines the performance of the herd. Modern initiatives like artificial insemination and frozen semen technology has further extended the use of sire and highlights the importance of sire selection. Artificial insemination has allowed the superior traits to reach different corners of the globe and this has benefitted the present generation at large. Frozen semen technology together with artificial insemination is milestone to the field of genetics and breeding. It is now possible to

Current status of feed and fodder availability in India Globally India ranks 1st in terms of total livestock (535.78 million) and buffalo population in the world (109.85 million), 2nd in cattle (192.49 million), goat (148.88 million) and 3rd in sheep population. So, the availability of adequate quantity and quality feed and fodder resources for livestock is essential for improving livestock productivity. Grazing lands and fodder cultivation areas are gradually dwindling either due to degradation or restriction for livestock grazing. Total area under fodder cultivation is around 8.4 mha (5.23%) which is almost static for the past two decades. Even though feed and fodder availability has improved in the last decade still gap exists with demand and availability of fodder during lean periods and abnormal weather conditions like droughts/floods. At present, India faces a net deficit of 35.6% green fodder (GF), 10.95% dry crop residues and 44% concentrate feeds. In India, open forest cover is around 29 million hectares (mha), which can be further utilized for growing fodder trees without affecting standing trees, mostly as an under- storey on the partially shaded ground Area under fodder production Sorghum (2.6 M ha) and Egyptian clover (1.9 M ha) account for roughly 54% of the total cultivated fodder area in the kharif and

The study of general reproduction and reproductive performance in animals is a vast and intricate field that spans across various species, habitats, and biological systems. Reproduction is a fundamental biological process that ensures the continuity of life across generations. It involves a series of complex physiological and behavioural events, from mating and fertilization to gestation and birth. The general reproduction and reproductive performance in domesticated animals is a fascinating and complex field that has significant implications for various aspects of human society, including agriculture, pet ownership, and conservation efforts. Domesticated animals encompass a wide range of species, from farm animals such as cows and chickens to pets like dogs and cats, and even animals kept for conservation or recreational purposes, such as horses and certain bird species. Each of these species has unique reproductive systems and cycles, and understanding these is crucial for effective management and care. For instance, the gestation period for dogs is typically around two months, while for horses, it’s closer to a year. Similarly, some birds, like parrots, may lay eggs only once or twice a year

The Convention on Biotechnology has defined biotechnology as “any technological application that uses biological systems, living organisms or derivatives thereof, to make or modify products or process for specific use”. The global food requirement is increasing with growing population, so the productivity gap could be filled by improving genetic health. Animal breeding focuses on genetic improvement through biotechnological and genomic approaches. Genetic progress is influenced by the type of biotechnology such as selection accuracy, genetic interval, intensity of selection, genetic variance. It helps to improve animal production, treatment of genetic disorders, production of transgenic animals resistant to diseases, vaccine production and also to maintain genetic diversity for endangered species. Genomic selection is a type of marker assisted selection. It improves the genetic gain by decreasing genetic interval and improving reliability. These novel approaches have high potential in animal breeding, if executed judiciously may provide practical benefits to mankind. The magnitude of genetic improvement of livestock species

Introduction Care and management of calf • Begins before its birth. • Good dairy herds are raised rather than purchased. • Dam should be dried 6-8 weeks before expected calving and should be fed well. • Underfed dam will give weak and small calves. Steps of calf management 1.  Removal of mucous • Immediately after birth:  removal of mucous or phlegm from nostril, mouth, eyes & ears for normal breathing. • Rub and dry the calf with a dry cloth or gunny bag • If cow not licking: sprinkle a little common salt on calf’s body. • If calf does not start breathing: Provide artificial respiration by: • Compressing and relaxing the chest with hands • Swinging • Inserting twig in nostril 2.  Ligation of naval cord • Cutting of naval cord: ligate-2.5cm & cutting-1cm below.

Raising healthy and productive animals is a cornerstone of successful livestock farming. Whether the goal is milk production, meat, draught power or breeding, the foundation of a thriving animal enterprise lies in appropriate general management and feeding practices that consider the animal’s stage of growth, reproductive status and work requirements. Each class of animal—calves, heifers, pregnant and lactating females, dry animals, bulls and working animals—has unique physiological needs that must be addressed through specialized care and nutrition. Modern animal husbandry aims not just at higher productivity but also at ensuring animal welfare, sustainability and profitability. Scientific and stage-specific practices improve the animals' lifetime performance and reduce mortality, disease incidence and reproductive failure. In this context, proper rearing practices are not merely a routine, but a strategic necessity. The calf represents the future of the herd. Ensuring its survival, growth and development is crucial for long-term productivity

Introduction Colostrum feeding • Colostrum is rich source of gamma globulins (antibodies), vitamins and minerals • Colostrum Temp.: 99ºF-102ºF • Colostrum feeding: first 3-5 days. • Whole milk: after 5 days • Feed the total amount of milk at 3 or 4 equal intervals up to the age of 7 days and then twice daily • Quantity of colostrum: 10 % of body weight. • Overfeeding: calf scour/diarrhea. • Around 0.5% of a cow’s yearly milk production is made up of colostrum. • After birth, the amount of immunoglobulins that can be absorbed from colostrum drops by 1/3 as soon as 6 hours, by 2/3 after 12 hours, and an intestinal barrier forms after 24 hours. • Colostrum must be given in sufficient amounts to the newborn calf because during the first 24 hours after parturition, the permeability of the stomach and the concentration of immunoglobulins drop sharply. • Cow colostrum must meet minimum requirements for both immunological and bacteriological characteristics:

Livestock transportation is a process of carrying animal from one place to another by different means of transportation. It is a stressful, threating and not familiar event of domestic animals. Livestock is transported for many reasons like marketing, slaughter, changing of owner, re-stocking and desirable grazing area)Animals who are transported for slaughter are stressful due to various component like loading, unloading, restraining, unfavorable weather condition, thrist, hunger. During transportation there are many rules and regulation by different countries which should be strictly implemented) Cattle and other animal species should be transported with partition. Birds and lab animals are transported in cages or any airy cartridge or basket. During transportation food and water should be withheld for 24 hours. if the transportation is more than 24 hours animal should be watered and fed in transit.

Manure can be a) solid manure, feed waste, soiled bedding, etc. and b) liquid – urine and detergent Water. Ideally, solid manure is usually collected and removed twice daily. India has about 535.78 million livestock and the amount of production of animal waste amounts to about 3 million tons per year. Together farm-level livestock waste includes manure, urine, placenta, bedding,Feed waste, milk house waste etc. These animal wastes are the biggest source of harmful gases, harmful pathogens and odors and therefore public health and environmental concerns. Livestock waste contains many useful substances components that, if recycled effectively, can be used as fertilizer for crops, food for animals. Economic savings are the biggest benefit of waste management achieved through improvements in human health and the environment, leading to higher productivity, lower medical costs, etc ultimate increase in farmers’ income. The animal waste is a major source of harmful gases, harmful pathogens, etc Odor;

Food is defined as any substance, whether processed, semi processed or raw, that is intended for human consumption as well as the inedible parts associated with food that are not intended to be consumed by humans. Food waste is defined as any food and inedible parts of food, removed from the food supply chain that can be recovered or disposed, whereas, food loss is defined as food that unintentionally undergoes deterioration in quality or quantity as a result of food spills, spoils, bruising, wilting or other damages alike owing to infrastructure limitations at the production, storage, processing and distribution stages of food lifecycle. Global food waste management is an issue of concern that requires attention from various stakeholders having diverse expertise. According to statistics, about one third of the food produced for human consumption is either lost or wasted. Globally, the cost of food waste accounts for USD 2.6 trillion, of that USD 1trillion is incurred from greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, water scarcity, biodiversity loss, increased conflicts and loss of livelihood owing to issues like soil erosion, nutrient loss, reduced yields, wind erosion and pesticide exposure.

Livestock plays a vital role in any country’s economy as animals are a source of livelihood for people, providing milk, meat, and fur, and are used for agricultural work. Hence, the loss of animals due to disease or any other reason results in loss of wealth, livelihood, and nutrition. In view of this, management of mortality on farms is of utmost importance. There are different ways to manage and dispose of dead animals. The acceptable methods to manage mortality include composting, rendering, incineration, landfills, burial, and disposal pits. Composting is one of the options for managing mortality on farms. Composting is the decomposing of carcasses by natural processes, viz the use of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms to convert organic matter into a stable product called compost. Composting involves the degradation of the carcass by anaerobic bacteria to convert it into liquid material with odor and gases such as hydrogen sulfide and ammonia)The anaerobic process produces heat that kills many viruses and bacteria and allows the growth of only heat-tolerant bacteria)The temperature continues to rise and peaks between 130 to 160 0F. Composting requires a source of energy

The term “Economics” is derived from the Greek words ‘OIKOS’ and ‘NOMAS’ or ‘NEMEIN’. ‘Oikos’ means house hold and ‘Nomas’ or ‘Nemein’ means management. So, in its original sense-economics means house hold management; i.e. satisfying as many wants of the house hold or family as possible by allocating the limited resources at the disposal of the family wisely among different wants. In the modern and practical sense Economics means management of day-to-day problems arising from unlimited wants and limited resources by wisely allocating limited resources to satisfy maximum wants. Divisions or approach of Economics There are two approaches a) Traditional approach and Modern approach. Traditional approach is divided into six main divisions, viz., (i) Production, (ii) Distribution, (iii) Exchange, (iv) Consumption, (v) public finance and (vi) economic planning. Modern approach studied under (i) Income Theory or Macro Economics; and (ii) Price Theory or Micro Economics, deals with the study

It appears that cattle were domesticated prior to 4000b)c)From 1961 to 2021, the amount of milk produced worldwide has almost tripled, reaching 918 million tonnes. Production of milk is carried out by about 150 million households worldwide. Smallholders produce the majority of the milk in developing nations, and milk production supports nutrition, food security, and household livelihoods. For small-scale farmers, milk offers comparatively quick returns and is a significant source of revenue. Small-scale farmers using native or local cattle breeds produce the majority of the milk in developing nations; however, to meet the growing demand for milk and milk products in peri-urban areas, more improved or cross-bred cattle are being used) India is an agricultural country that contributes significantly to the economy. Animal husbandry is an adjunct to agriculture and has vital livestock resources, with cattle and buffalo playing an important role in improving the socio-economic status through contributions to milk, meat, hides, and draft power for agricultural operations. India is one of the world’s top milk producers contributing 24 percent of global milk production and having a large number of indigenous

There are many migratory, semi-migratory and sedentary shepherd communities in India with sheep rearing along with goats as the main livelihood)Besides scores of land less wages-earning families keep small numbers of goats for crucial supplementary income. Sheep and goat farming, due to its quicker and better returns on investment provides an additional source of income to farmers who normally depend on crops for their livelihood) Thus these animals fit in ideally in a mixed farming system. In India, goats and sheep are mostly maintained under extensive system which includes migratory, transhumance, free range, grazing community pastures, stubbles of cropped lands supplemented with crop residues and tree-lopping. Although a number of management systems are in practices varying from region to region these may be conveniently divided in to extensive, Semiintensive and Intensive systems.

India enjoys one of the largest livestock wealth in the world India has continued to experience an increasing growth in its livestock sector. Between 2010-11 and 2019-20, gross valueadded (GVa) from livestock sector grew at an extraordinary rate of 7.6% annually. Among the livestock species, pig finds an important place as it being reared by socio-economically weaker sections of the rural India) Pig as compared to other livestock species has a great potential to contribute to faster economic return, because of certain important inherent traits like high fecundity, better-feed conversion efficiency, early maturity and short generation interval. Pig farming requires small investment on its housing and equipment. It has immense potential to ensure nutritional and economic security for the weaker sections of the society.The pig grows fast and is a prolific breeder, farrowing 10-12 piglets at a time. It is capable of producing two litters per year under good management conditions. The carcase yield is high (65 -80% of live weight). Pigs convert inedible feeds, forages, and certain grain by products into valuable nutrition’s mean. The faeces of pigs are useful in maintaining soil fertility. Pig population According to the 20 th Livestock census of India pigs comprises 1.7 % to the total livestock population (http://dahd.nic.in). The total Pigs in the country are 9.06 million in the current Census, declined by 12.03% over the previous Census. Out of the total pigs 20.98% are either exotic or crossbred

Man have used different animals like cattle, buffaloes, horses, donkeys, mules, yak, camel and elephants for different kinds of work. Draft animals evolved during course of time have advantages of stability, sustainability and environmental friendliness. Different animals have different draught capacities for performing different types of work. The approximate power developed by various animals in terms of horse power are- Horse-1.0: Bullock-0.74: Buffalo-0.75: Cow-0.45: Maule-0.75: Donkey- 0.35. Draught developed by the animal is generally proportional to its body weight. Draught ability: Work is done when force is exerted to move an object over a distance. Work in the strict sense of “Force exerted x distance through which the force is moved”. Work performed by animals can be measured by quantifying their capacity to generate power. Draught Power (W) = Draught (N) x Speed (m/s) Management of different working animals 1. Cattle and Buffalo Bullocks: they are used for various operations like ploughing, harrowing, threshing, harvesting, for lifting water and for transporting people and agricultural produce.  The average speed of a pair of bullocks pulling a cart is around 4-5 km per hour. If not overdriven, they can travel 25-30 km or even 40 km in favorable condition. Atmospheric 

Camel Nomenclature Family: Camelidae Order: artiodactyla (even –toed ungulates) Suborder: Tylopoda (Pad on foot) The family Camelidae includes two genera: Camelus and Lama The genus Camelus consists of two species namely. Camelus dromedarius (unicorn or dromedary) with habitat in dry, hot, arid areas of Africa, Asia and Australia and Camelus bactrianus Double-humped or Bactrian) habitat in cold, dry areas of the central Palearctic Ecozone. These two species are commonly called Old World camels. The Species belonging to the genus Lama are Lama vicugna  Vicunaand Lama guanaco guanaco, Lama glama (llamaand Lama pacos alpaca . These four Species are called New World camels and have their habitat in South America Camels are considered a “ship of the desert” as a means of transport and Towing ability in the desert. The camel also played an important role in civil law and order, defense and battles from antiquity to the presen

This chapters covers wide range of topics like taxonomy of wild animals, difference criteria among the species identification, feeding and nutritional requirements of wild and captive zoo animals, housing standards in zoo, habitats and behavioral changes and its management, environmental impact on captive animals, acts and zoo regulations governing wild and captive animals, handling and restraining of wild/captive animals, Purpose of restraining,  techniques of immobilization and complications associated with the immobilization. Various national and international organizations working

The review provides an explanation of the Indian poultry market’s trend in management. Everything you need to know about diseases, their attacks, processing, production, feeding, and market trends is included in this review. For farmers, raising poultry is a vital source of revenue that allows them to meet their basic necessities. Because of the high consumption rate and current population growth, there is a sharp increase in demand for chicken meat. Meat consumption is required to provide additional nutritious intake. Generally speaking, the poultry sector plays a critical role in creating micro and macrobusiness opportunities and enhancing human nutrition. The Indian economy is dominated by small-scale commercial ventures for women and the delivery of manure for agricultural purposes. Animal health is ensured by the supply of high-quality feed, which maintains nutritional values. The weight and age of the chickens, their rate of development, the quantity of eggs they produce, the climate (cold or rainy weather increases energy consumption), and the amount of nutrition they acquire from foraging all affect how much feed and how much nutrition it contains. This review article includes general information about poultry

An animal, which has more or less of comparable (similar) physiology and body composition with various biological system as human beings, which are tiny, easy to handle, less expensive and co-operative are called as “Laboratory Animals”. Importance of Laboratory Animal in Bio-Medical Research Laboratory animals are used in basic biological research, disease diagnosis, immunology, virology, applied medicine and demonstration/teaching. Materials collected from diseased animals need confirmation through microbiological and pathological means of diagnosis. Rats, Beagle dogs and primates are engaged in toxicological research. These are used to study the functions of organs, response of a particular organ or the whole system to drug and the method of evolving surgical techniques and demonstration of experimental surgery need experiment animals. Hamster have cheek pouches which may extend to halfway down the length of the body, are used to temporarily store food and, when full, should not be mistaken for a tumor. An entire shelled peanut

The livestock sector, particularly the dairy sector, plays a vital role in India’s economy and contributes significantly to the country’s milk production. The continuous growth and development of this sector have led to India becoming the world’s largest milk producer. It has seen significant growth, with a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 13.36% from 2014-15 to 2021-22. This sector’s contribution to the total Gross Value Added GVa in agriculture and allied sectors has risen from 24.38% in 2014-15 to 30.19% in 2021-22, accounting for 5.73% of the total GVA in 2021-22. The country’s livestock population, as per the 20th Livestock Census, includes approximately 303.76 million bovines (cattle, buffalo, mithun, and yak), 74.26 million sheep, 148.88 million goats, 9.06 million pigs, and about 851.81 million poultry. The dairy sector stands as the single largest agricultural commodity, contributing 5% to the national economy and directly employing more than 8 crore farmers.

Asia and the Pacific collectively feed over 4.5 billion people and account for one?third of global agricultural trade. Yet the region’s agri?food supply chains face mounting pressure from climate change, geopolitical disruptions, infrastructure gaps, and volatile markets. This report analyzes fifteen focus countries to distill common challenges, showcase good practices, and highlight investment and policy opportunities that can transform regional agri?food systems into resilient, inclusive, and sustainable engines of growth.

2.1 Purpose and Scope This report provides a comparative assessment of agri?food supply chains across fifteen Asia?Pacific countries, examining how each nation navigates production, aggregation, processing, logistics, and market access. The study integrates quantitative data (GDP, export volumes, logistics indices) with qualitative insights from multilateral agencies, peer?reviewed studies, and practitioner case studies. 2.2 Defining Agri?Food Supply Chains An agri?food supply chain encompasses the full spectrum of activities

South Asia, which includes countries like Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Pakistan, has a predominant focus on rice production. Rice is not only a staple food but also a critical part of the cultural and economic fabric of these nations. The climatic conditions and extensive river systems in this region provide ideal conditions for rice cultivation. For instance, in Bangladesh, rice accounts for nearly 70% of caloric intake and employs a significant portion of the rural labor force (FAO, 2023). In India, rice is grown across 44 million hectares, particularly in the eastern and southern belts (Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, India, 2022). Nepal relies heavily on monsoon-fed paddy farming, while Pakistan is a major exporter of basmati rice (Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, 2022). Diversification in Southeast Asia Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, and Lao PDR are gradually diversifying their agricultural production. While rice remains

Climate change presents a formidable challenge for agriculture, particularly in regions like South Asia and parts of the Pacific. Severe flooding in Bangladesh, droughts in Afghanistan, and rising sea levels in Fiji exemplify how erratic weather patterns disrupt food production. In Pakistan, erratic monsoons damage crop cycles, while in Nepal and Bhutan, glacial melt threatens downstream water availability. Vietnam and Thailand are increasingly vulnerable to salinity intrusion in the Mekong Delta, jeopardizing rice productivity. According to FAO estimates, post- harvest losses in South and Southeast Asia exceed 15% due to inadequate storage and handling (FAO, 2022). Investment in improved storage facilities, resilient farming systems, better transportation infrastructure, and post-harvest technologies is crucial to mitigating such losses. 4.2 Infrastructure Deficits Infrastructure gaps are a major bottleneck for efficient agri-food supply chains. The Regional Logistics Performance Index (LPI) average for South Asia is 2.6, compared to 3.5

5.1 Afghanistan Overview of the Agri-Food Economy Agriculture is a vital sector in Afghanistan, contributing around 25% to national GDP and employing nearly 60% of the workforce (World Bank, 2023). The country’s agro-climatic diversity enables the cultivation of staple crops such as wheat, along with high-value horticultural products like pomegranates, grapes, almonds, and apricots (FAO Afghanistan, 2022). Despite this potential, the sector is highly vulnerable due to climatic extremes, institutional fragility, and limited infrastructure. Key Challenges • Conflict-related Disruptions: Persistent conflict and political instability have disrupted agricultural activities and supply chain networks, undermining both domestic

1. Agroecology & System of Rice Intensification (SRI) — Lao PDR, Nepal Agroecology emphasizes sustainable farming that works in harmony with ecosystems, reducing reliance on chemical inputs and improving biodiversity. The System of Rice Intensification (SRI) is a flagship agroecological method that optimizes plant spacing, soil aeration, water management, and timing of inputs to boost rice yields sustainably. • Impact on Yields and Resource Use: In Lao PDR and Nepal, adoption of SRI has led to rice yield increases between 15% and 25%, outperforming conventional transplanting methods without increasing input costs significantly (FAO, 2021). This yield boost directly translates to higher food availability and incomes for smallholder farmers. Importantly, SRI reduces water use by about 30%, addressing water scarcity challenges faced in rainfed and drought-prone areas (IRRI, 2020). This efficiency stems from alternate wetting and drying practices rather than continuous flooding, improving

The Asia-Pacific region, home to a large proportion of the world’s agricultural producers and consumers, faces complex challenges: climate change, infrastructure gaps, market fragmentation, and inefficient supply chains that result in high post-harvest losses and limited farmer incomes. However, the region is witnessing rapid innovation across multiple fronts that promise to transform agri-food supply chains into more climate-resilient, transparent, inclusive, and efficient systems. These emerging opportunities align with regional sustainability goals and create pathways for economic growth and rural development. 7.1 Climate-Smart Infrastructure: Financing Low-Carbon and Resilient Agri Supply Chains Green Bonds for Solar Cold Rooms Vietnam’s Mekong Delta — a critical rice-producing region — is pioneering the issuance of green bonds to finance solar-powered cold rooms under the “One Million Hectares” low-carbon rice initiative

8.1 Invest in Climate Resilience • Scale Early-Warning Systems Expand satellite- and phone-based alert networks covering 50+ million smallholders, enabling tracking of weather alerts, pest outbreaks, and flood/drought risk. FAO-ADB reports show timely warnings can reduce crop damage by up to 40% gcca.org+1qassurance.com+1. • Deploy Climate-Resilient Seeds: Subsidize drought- and flood-tolerant rice and vegetable varieties across 20% of the Mekong Delta, Red River, Indo-Gangetic Plain, and Pacific atolls. Carbon finance (e.g., rice methane credits) provides payback via reduced yield loss and new revenue streams farmonaut.com+13fao.org+13fao.org+13. • Create Solar Cold Room Infrastructure via Green Bonds: Support issuance of at least USD 30 million in Vietnam and Indonesia to finance 500 solar- powered cold rooms. Use APEC-style “currency-indexed climate bonds” to minimize interest and currency

These days, the concept of psychological well-being has gained more impetus in the field of health and positive psychology. Ever since research has paid more attention to ‘quality of life,’ psychological well-being has become popular. However, less importance has been given to the conceptual development of its construct, thus creating confusion between terms which at first appear similar: psychological well-being, subjective well-being, quality of life, satisfaction in life, happiness, and mental health.

The concept of psychological well-being is related to mental, emotional, and social health. Ever since research has started in this area, psychologists have started paying more attention to ‘quality of life,’ and hence psychological well-being has acquired more importance. But less importance has been paid to the conceptual development of its construct. As mental health is related to psychological well-being, it is essential to study psychological well-being.

Psychological well-being includes general well-being, quality of life, satisfaction in life, happiness, and mental health. Quality of life and subjective life satisfaction are measures of an individual’s perceived level of psychological well-being and happiness. It is sometimes used as a synonym for subjective happiness and general well-being. Psychological well-being is also related to another variable, such as ‘self-concept’. Self-concept may be stated as the quality of perceptions that each person has of himself, and this self-identity or self-image plays an important role in the psychological functioning of human well-being.

Many attempts have been made in the past to measure positive mental and emotional health, only one of which is the measure of a subjective, general sense of psychological well-being. Attempts over the years have been made to find out more about its correlates.