Page 82 - economic review

AGRICULTURE AND ALLIED SECTORS54

Weak Feed and Fodder Base

2.61 Special focus has been given to fodder and feed production in Kerala to support the development
of the livestock sector considering the wide gap in the availability of these two critical inputs. The
new fodder varieties like CO3 and other varieties from TNAUs have been introduced. During 2013-14
fodder production in Hi-tech mode also has been initiated. In order to augment supply of cattle feed
two new plants at Kozhikode and Idukki will be commissioned during 2015-16. The total production
of cattle feed during 2013-14 was 3.92 lakh metric tone as againist 3.28 lakh MT during 2012-13.
The production of feed and fodder are shown in Appendix 2.27, Appendix 2.28 and Appendix
2.29.

Breeding Support

2.62 Kerala Livestock Development Board (KLDB) is involved in the production and
distribution of frozen semen. Compared to 2012-13, semen production increased from 28.40 lakh
doses to 28.53 lakh doses during 2013-14. The distribution inside and outside the State decreased
from 17.67 lakh doses to 17.31 lakh doses and from 10.49 lakh doses to 7.59 lakh doses respectively
during this period. Details are shown in Appendix 2.30.

2.63 The number of AI centres in the state as on 31-03-2014 was 2510. The number of inseminations
done during 2013-14 was 12.25 lakh and calving recorded was 3.02 lakh. This was against 3.57 lakh
calving recorded out of 12.90 lakh AI during 2012-13. The average number of inseminations needed
for producing one calf is 4.05. The details of AI are shown in Appendix 2.31. The quality of AI is not
improving and so measures to improve the quality of semen supplied to be taken up immediately.
Activities of the KLD Board are given in Appendix 2.32.

Special Livestock Breeding Programme (SLBP)

2.64 The calf rearing programme by subsidizing cattle feed for rearing cattle up to 32 months along
with health cover and insurance has been under implementation since 1976 onwards. During 2006-
07 the scheme was extended to buffalo calves also as a measure to curtail the drastic reduction in the
buffalo population. During 2013-14, 39500 calves were enrolled as against 74571 calves in 2012-13.
Year wise details from 2004-05 onwards are shown in Appendix 2.33.

Egg and Meat

2.65 The gap between the production and requirement of egg is increasing at an alarming rate.
Concerted efforts of the State to increase the egg production have begun to show signs of improvement.
Poultry farming for egg production with purchased feed are uneconomic in Kerala. Poultry rearing on
commercial lines is therefore largely confined to broiler production. The egg production which was
2054 million in 1999-2000 continuously declined till 2005-06, but began to increase in 2006-07 and
that trend maintained in succeeding years.

2.66 Though meat production is increasing over the years, it cannot cater to the demand
fully. Poultry meat production increased from 128842 tonnes in 2012-13 to 151398 tonnes in 2013-
14. During 2013-14, 17% hike in production compared to previous year. The meat production other
than poultry meat decreased from 272152 tonnes in 2012-13 to 264730 tonnes in 2013-14 registering
a decrease of 2.73 per cent over the previous year production. The per capita availability of meat per
day in Kerala during 2013-14 was 34.13 gms (Poultry meat 12.41 grm and meat other than poultry
meat 21.72 gms). Kerala has not exploited the potential of meat production. Regional projects with
appropriate buy back arrangement have to be prepared for the improvement of meat production in
the state.

Kerala State Planning Board