Growing livestock population in India is expected to spur the growth of domestic demand for compound feed, which currently stands at 70 million tonnes, by an estimated 25% per annum.

"Rapidly growing human population has resulted in an upward spiralling trend in demand and consumption of milk products, meat, eggs, skin, leather, fibre and even wool not just in India but globally," said D.S. Rawat, national secretary general of ASSOCHAM (The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India).

"An increase in number of livestock is also led by genetically upgraded animals," he added.

India is facing huge shortage to the extent of about 60% of feed and fodder for livestock population mainly due to overgrazing in the limited area under fodder crops, poor availability of good quality fodder varieties - green fodder, dry crop residue, feeds, dry fodder, agricultural by-products and others. Besides, lack of quality seeds of improved varieties and hybrids is also a significant issue in this regard.

"There is a need to improve the productivity of grazing and pasture lands, enhancing the supply of quality seeds, promoting production of fodder crops, implementing technology to preserve post-harvest fodder and other such steps must be immediately taken to curb the grave problem of malnourishment amid animals," said Rawat. "Besides, diseases due to lack of health and hygiene maintenance are also affecting the production potential of livestock."

India is seeing a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 4% for its livestock population, which currently stands at about 280 million. The total population is likely to reach about 312 million by 2015, according to the industry body ASSOCHAM.

The 170 million head of cattle constitute a share of about 60% in India's total livestock population, followed by buffaloes at 32% (80 million head), goats at 4% (11 million head) and sheep at 2% (5 million head).

The majority of India's total livestock population is concentrated in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, which in total account for about 35% of livestock population. Bihar, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal are other states with significant livestock population.