Livestock refers to all the domestic animals which are kept and raised in an agricultural environment to extract commodities like milk, eggs, meat, wool, etc. and so that they can be used as labor. The livestock market is one of the important contributors to the agricultural gross domestic product.

Livestock production is that field in which demand is always rising because of an increase in population, increased income, and urbanization. It also gives employment opportunities as it is on a very large scale and it is referred to as among the fastest-growing sectors in the world. Livestock contributes about 25% of the total agricultural gross domestic product and is referred to as a tactical and fundamental sub-sector of the economy of India. 

Contributions of Livestock to People

Livestock apart from being a major contributor to the agricultural gross domestic product also contributes to people. Some of the contributions are as follows:

• Food – livestock helps in the production of many food items like milk, meat, and eggs which can be consumed by humans. India has a large livestock sub-sector which results in India being the largest producer of milk in the world. 
• Fibers and skins – the livestock sector also contributes to the production of wool, hair, belts, etc. The most produced and important material is leather which is extracted from the skin of the animals and it has a very large market for exports. 
• Sports/recreation – Many sports or competitions require the use of animals like bulls, rams, etc. Though the competition or sports that involve animals has been banned still the fight between rams, cocks and bulls are very much popular and happen illegally. 
• Companion animals – The animals which are kept also serve as a companion for humans. Forex – dogs are referred to as a companion and are used as a pet. Dogs and cats are used as companions for old parents who start to live alone and they make their life happier. 

Role of Livestock in Farmer’s Economy

The roles of livestock in the farmer’s economy are:

• Income – livestock is the basic source of income for many families. The poor people who cannot afford many animals but take care of a few are fully dependent on them. For example – milk can be extracted from cows and goats can generate income for farmers.
• Employment – as many people are uneducated and depend on agriculture for their living. As agriculture is season-based, livestock helps them to fulfill their income needs during bad agriculture times. 
• Food – as India is having a large livestock sub-sector, the animals that are taken care of can be a great source of animal protein for the owners too. They can use them as food too and can sell the remaining in the market. 
• Dung – Dung of the animals is very useful and is used for many purposes in rural areas. They can be used for making fertilizers, and fuel and can also be used for plastering. 

Conclusion

Livestock is a market that creates great opportunities for improving the livelihood of the people. Livestock is very important as it provides many employment opportunities and helps in generating income for the families who carry on livestock. As explained they contribute more than 26 % of the agricultural gross domestic product, which makes them one of the major contributors. India is referred to as having a tactical and fundamental sub-sector of livestock as India also contributes a lot to the livestock sector. They play a very important role in the economy as many families’ income depends on the livestock sector and it also provides many employment opportunities which help the people who are uneducated or unskilled to work as they depend only on agriculture.