Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Evaluating national livestock statistics requires referencing the official census data to verify species-wise population shares and breed-wise distributions.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us evaluate both statements based on the 20th Livestock Census data:
Statement (I): The total livestock population in India is 535.78 million.
The total goat population is 148.88 million.
Calculating the percentage share of goats in the total livestock population:
\[ \text{Percentage} = \frac{148.88}{535.78} \times 100\% \approx 27.79\% \]
The statement claims that only 17.74% of the livestock population is goats (which actually corresponds to the buffalo share, which is around 20.5%, or sheep share, which is around 13.8%).
Therefore, Statement (I) is incorrect.
Statement (II): According to the Breed-wise Report of Livestock and Poultry based on the 20th Livestock Census, the goat population of 148.88 million is distributed as:
- Purebred goats: 47.4%
- Graded goats: 9.1%
- Non-descript goats: 43.5%
These figures match the official breed-wise distribution data for goats in India.
Therefore, Statement (II) is correct.
Since Statement (I) is incorrect and Statement (II) is correct, option (D) is the correct choice.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Statement (I) is incorrect but Statement (II) is correct.