Gujarat has live stock of about 200 lacs and it occupies important place among the State having good number of live stock. The agriculture is the main occupation of the farmers , therefore they are keeping bullocks for agriculture operation and buffaloes and cow for milk production. Since grazing land is available in plenty rearing sheep and goats is being taken up by a particular community in the State. The details of live stock is shown below.
Sr.No
Species
Gujarat
India
% of share
1
Cattle
68.4
2099.5
3.2
2
Buffalo
59.6
919.8
6.5
3
Goat
48.6
1318.8
3.7
4
Sheep
21.5
529.5
4.0
Total
198.1
4867.6
4.06
Annual growth rate of Live stock in Gujarat and India ( 1961-1992)
Sr.No
Species
Gujarat
India
1
Cattle
0.11
0.53
2
Buffalo
2.60
2.03
3
Goat
2.94
2.88
4
Sheep
1.20
0.85
The study revealed that cattle is loosing its economic importance on account of tractorisation in agriculture and also lower milk yield and lower fat content compared to buffalo on the other hand buffalo has emerged as an important milch animal accounting for more than 50 % of the milk production and there are strong indication that the Indian leather industries can look forward to increase supplies of buffalo hides and buff calf skins.Estimated production of raw hides and skins 1997
Sr.No
Species
Gujarat
India
% of share
1
Cattle
5.50
241.4
2.3
2
Buffalo
16.1
189.5
8.5
3
Goat
40.3
921.8
4.4
4
Sheep
18.8
296.0
6.4
Total
80.7
1648.7
4.9
Hides and skin may be either of slaughtered category or fallen category. The Statistics in Gujarat is as follows :
