Subject: Economy

India's Pink Revolution, focusing on meat and poultry production, has emerged as a crucial driver of nutritional security and economic growth. The sector has witnessed remarkable growth, with egg production reaching 142.77 billion in 2023-24, marking a significant 3.18% increase from the previous year.

Measures to Strengthen Pink Revolution

Policy Support and Infrastructure

• Implementation of National Livestock Mission (NLM) providing 50% capital subsidy up to ₹25 lakh for breed improvement in rural areas.
• Development of modern slaughterhouses and cold chain facilities to ensure food safety and quality standards.
• State-specific initiatives like Haryana's HSFDC offering subsidies up to ₹10,000 for BPL families in poultry farming.

Economic Benefits and Employment Generation

• Creation of sustainable livelihood opportunities with income increases of 34.6% for small-scale farmers.
• Backyard poultry farming, constituting 20% of India's poultry sector, empowers rural women through income generation.
• Integration of small farmers into the organized meat processing industry.

Nutritional Security and Health Benefits

• Contribution to protein security with meat production reaching 10.25 million tonnes in 2023-24.
• Enhanced accessibility to affordable animal protein sources for rural populations.
• Poultry sector contributing 48.96% of total meat production, ensuring dietary diversity.

Challenges and Way Forward

• Need for better disease surveillance and control mechanisms.
• Requirement of skilled workforce and technical expertise.
• Environmental concerns regarding waste management and sustainability.
• Investment in research and development for breed improvement.

The success of India's Pink Revolution requires a multi-stakeholder approach involving government support, private sector participation, and community engagement. The implementation of schemes like National Livestock Mission and focus on sustainable practices will ensure both nutritional security and economic growth, particularly benefiting small-scale farmers and rural communities.