The Centre today directed the states to submit production data of the Animal Husbandry and Dairy products for finalising estimates for better policy formulation. Addressing a function in New Delhi, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Secretary G C Pati said, important decisions relating to production, investment, procurement and policy formulation are taken on the basis of the data. He emphasised the need to compile the data on feed and fodder availability in the states to ensure better health of livestock. He said that livestock is crucial as it has the capacity to contribute to agricultural growth.

The Secretary underlined the need for data collection on livestock loss due to sudden outbreak of diseases. Mr Pati urged the states, statisticians and field functionaries to bring in a systematic and scientific mechanism to collect the data. He asked the Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute to further review and refine its methodology for data sampling.