Question

Read the four statements (A-D) and select the correct option regarding animal husbandry.

A. Domestic animals which are kept or dealt with for use or profit constitute livestock
B. The systematic rearing of livestock forms the basis of animal breeding
C. Animal husbandry deals with the care and breeding of livestock like buffaloes, cows, pigs, horses, cattle, sheep, camels, goats etc. that are useful to humans
D. India and US have more than 70% of the world’s livestock population

Answer 1

Man domesticates a variety of animals for food, transport, agricultural operations, wool, fur, research, etc. Domestic animals like buffalos, cows, pigs, horses, cattle, sheep, camels, goats etc. are kept or dealt in for use or profit constitutes livestock.

The systematic rearing of livestock forms the basis of animal husbandry and not animal breeding. Animal husbandry deals with rearing as well as breeding of livestock. Rearing includes day to day care by providing food, shelter and health care of animals, whereas breeding is carried out with the objective of producing a superior quality offspring that are useful to humans.


Figure : Animal husbandry

Animal breeding is the process of selective mating of animals with desirable genetic traits, to maintain or enhance these traits in future generations.

It is estimated that more than 70% of the world's livestock population is in India and China, not in US, but the contribution to the world farm produce is only 25%.