Livestock for Nutritional Security

Andaman & Nicobar Islands is a string of 572 islands, islets, reefs and isolated rocks exposures, situated in the middle of the Bay of Bengal. Only 38 islands have human habitation. The Buffalo milk production was at par with Cross bred cows in terms of cost of production where as management cost was higher for exotic animals. Though local cows give less milk same time maintenance cost was also less. Availability of fodder and feed material was deficit in all the seasons.veterinary facilities are now being developed slowly however, regular vaccination is practiced in the islands.Livestock sector is providing employment opportunities to the rural mass particularly women. Marketing was done by male door to door basis. Milk prices were almost uniform throughout the year. The distress sale of milk was also observed in some cases. Majority of the farmers have expressed that better veterinary facility and assured feed and fodder availability will increase local production. Therefore, scope of dairy farming to mitigate the problem of unemployment and nutritional security is of tremendous potential in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.