Vol. 12, Special Issue 12 (2023)

Author(s):
Annoff Mary Felix and BS Reddy

Abstract:
This paper examines the growth and instability of cattle and buffalo populations in Karnataka, India, from 1997 to 2019, utilizing quantitative data to understand the trends and regional variations. The livestock population in India experienced marginal change, with a mere 0.08 percent decrease from 1997 to 2003. Whereas cattle populations in Karnataka saw a significant decline, dropping from 10.83 million in 1997 to 8.47 million in 2019. District-specific analysis shows alarming negative growth rates, with Kalaburagi notably experiencing a 53.16 percent decrease. Buffalo populations in Karnataka also decreased across districts, except for Belagavi, which reported a 10.00 percent increase. Analyzing the compound annual growth rates, Kalaburagi and Tumakuru district had the most substantial declines in cattle populations at -4.11 percent and -1.01 percent, respectively. At the state level, Karnataka registered a negative growth rate of -0.31 percent, contrasting with India's marginal positive growth of 0.27 percents. Buffalo populations displayed a parallel trend, with Kalaburagi and Hassan experiencing the most substantial declines at -6.14 percent and -3.10 percent, respectively. Karnataka showed a negative growth rate of -1.71 percent for buffalo populations, while India recorded a 1.25 percent increase at the national level.