In India, the livestock production and agriculture are intrinsically linked, each one being dependent on the other and both are crucial for the overall food security of the people. Livestock sector is an important sub sector of the agriculture of Indian economy. It forms an important livelihood activity for most of the farmers, supporting agriculture in the form of critical inputs, contributing to the health and nutrition of the household, supplementing incomes, offering employment opportunities, and finally being a dependable “bank on hooves” in times of need. It acts as a supplementary and complementary enterprise.

The department with its very well-defined purpose, aims to facilitate the emergence of dairying as a full-fledged agricultural business, generating mass employment particularly in rural areas. Scientific dairy farming is also helping to develop a symbiotic relationship between the farmer and industry. The department is committed to provide a sound base for teaching, research, extension and training with its well-balanced educational programmes. A well-defined course work covers various aspects of animal husbandry at undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral levels. Highly professional faculty is dedicated to share its rich experience with students. For successful livestock production a great deal of knowledge is required in animal genetics and breeding, animal nutrition, livestock production and management, poultry production and animal's welfare in livestock enterprise of 30 small farmers, marginal farmers and landless agricultural laborers who own majority of livestock in the country. It has well-equipped laboratory for undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmmes.

Animal Genetics and Breeding
For improving the quality of our indigenous cow in terms of increasing milk production per cow, crossbreeding programme was started from 1910 to 1924; four different zebu breeds (Hariana, Sahiwal, Gir, and Kankrej) were improved by selective breeding. Four European breeds the Holstein Friesian, Brown Swiss, Guernsey and Jersey were imported between 1924 and 1934. From these, Jersey and Brown Swiss were selected for crossbreeding with Red Sindhi. Breeding crossbred cows were performed in order to establish a herd of individuals having between 3/8 to 5/8 Jersey/ Brown Swiss inheritance called as “Jersind” and “Brownsind”, respectively. It is a matter of pride that data on systematic crossbreeding experiments of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying of the university were used by Indian Council of Agricultural Research for national index on livestock improvement.

Animal Nutrition
The practical feeding of the individual animal or commercial herd is related to the nutrient requirements for various physiological functions which are to be provided daily to the farm animals. A significant increase in productivity of livestock without adequate feeding is day dream. The department seeks to promote dairying as a full- fledged business for enhancing profit in dairy farming by scientific feeding and thereby reducing the cost of feeding which is 60-70 percent of the total cost.

Livestock Production and Management
Human population growth, increasing urbanization and rising incomes are causing a massive increase in demand for food of animal origin (milk, meat and eggs) in developing countries. Globally, livestock sector is growing at faster rate (6-8 percent) than any other sector. The livestock sector is predicted to become the most important agricultural sub sector in terms of added value. Hence livestock production and management plays an important role in promoting the sustainable livestock farming.

Poultry Husbandry
Poultry has influenced man's civilization in many ways. Egg and meat of birds are being consumed since pre-historic times. Poultry in India is one of the fastest growing segments of the agriculture sector today. India is now the world's third-largest producer of eggs and fifthlargest producer of chicken. Poultry industry, being a very versatile industry can provide jobs and income to all categories of people. It can be adopted as full-time business on large scale and it fits very well in diversified farming system to provide additional income to farmers.