Since the growth of agriculture has nearly approached a plateau because of dwindling landholdings, over exploitation of soil and water resources and more imortantly finite land resources, farmers are most likely being drawn in to focusing more on livestock component of the mixed or integrated farming. On the hindsight, the hill agro-ecosystem is more fragile and vulnerable and sustainability with livestock production seems more feasible. Further, livestock production is poised to take a quantum leap in view of the projected increase in the demand for animal products. Considering the potential of livestock production to provide unique opportunities for meaningful and lucrative employment to the whole lot of small, marginal and landless farmers spreading across more than half of the globe, the book on "Animal Health & Production" encompasses views of many learned contributors pertaining to issues related to livestock sector's progress and prospects. An assemblage of twenty-six valuable chapters provides insight in to animal production scenario, available resources, animal husbandry including health issues, integration with agriculture and allied sectors and sustainability, related scientific advancements and adoptable technologies that finally aims at improving human life and sustaining the socio-economic environment. Students, academicians, researchers, livestock farmers (end-users) and entrepreneurs will greatly benefit from this compilation. Based on the gap analysis, the book also camouflages invaluable information for the policymakers, planners, boards and organizations concerned with sustainability of animal production and health.
A. Sahoo, Principal Scientist & Head, Animal Nutrition Division, Central Sheep & Wool Research Institute, Avikanagar, Rajasthan-304501 (India);
R.K. Singh, Director, National Research Centre on Equines, Hisar-125001, Haryana (India)