From Pastures to Present: Growth Analysis of Major Livestock Populations in Jammu & Kashmir (1980-2020)

This study examines the growth trends of livestock sector in UT of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) from year 1980 to 2020. The study was conducted during the academic year 2021-22 at Skuast-k Shalimar. The research study is exclusively based on secondary data. It investigates the factors influencing the growth of total livestock over the decades in UT of Jammu and Kashmir and identifying areas of strength and weakness. The study employs log linear production function (Log Yt = A + Bt) for computing compound annual growth rate (CAGR) to assess the performance of the sector. The findings revealed distinct patterns of growth, fluctuation, and decline across the different time periods in livestock categories. Cattle populations demonstrated modest growth in phase I and II, followed by a period of fluctuation and eventual decline in the later phases. Buffalo populations consistently showed upward trends, with notable acceleration during some specific periods with minor fluctuations in its growth trend. Sheep populations exhibited strong growth in the earlier phases but gradually transitioned into periods of slower growth and eventual declined. Further, the study identifies challenges and problems associated with the sector like shortage of feed, less creditability, technological adoption etc and underscores the need for targeted interventions to improve and accelerate the livestock population and lastly some suggestive measures are stated in order to improve sector’s resilience and contribution to rural livelihoods in UT of J&K.