Structural Growth and Development of Livestock Sector in North-Eastern Karnataka – An Economic Analysis^§

The growth trends in the livestock sector have been analyzed for Karnataka's four divisions, viz. Gulbarga, Belgaum, Mysore and Bangalore, by using livestock census data of the state for the years 1977, 1983, 1990, 1997, 2003 and 2007. To explore the factors determining the growth of livestock sector, the Cobb Douglas function has been fitted. To study production of milk, meat and eggs in the state, data have been collected for the period 1995–96 to 2011–12. The cattle and buffalo population has depicted a declining trend, which in turn has affected production of milk, beef and carabeef in the state. The study has observed that poultry population and adoption of improved hen for egg production have tremendously increased across all the divisions in the state. The growth in the population of goat and sheep has been meagre. The production of pork has been highest, while mutton and chevon production has registered a dismal growth. The factors identified to limit the growth of livestock sector in the state include shortage of feed and fodder, inadequate breeding and reproduction, inadequate healthcare centres, poor public expenditure, poor flow of credit and lack of livestock insurance. The study has suggested some policy implications also.