India’s new veterinary scheme aims to protect livestock through enhanced disease control, mobile veterinary units, and infrastructure upgrades. Backed by a US$25 million grant, it strengthens animal health security, supports farmers’ livelihoods, and boosts rural economies. The initiative aligns with the 21st Livestock Census, emphasizing vaccination and surveillance to ensure sustainable livestock production.
New Veterinary Initiative to Bolster Livestock Health Across India
On October 30, 2024, India introduced a transformative veterinary scheme backed by a US$25 million grant from the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, and Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), aimed at fortifying animal health security. This initiative, launched alongside the 21st Livestock Census, seeks to address critical gaps in veterinary infrastructure, disease surveillance, and workforce shortages, ensuring healthier livestock and sustainable livelihoods for millions of farmers.
The scheme prioritizes comprehensive disease control, focusing on economically significant diseases like Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), Brucellosis, and Classical Swine Fever. It includes mass vaccination programs, with a target to immunize 100% of cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, and pigs against FMD, and female bovine calves aged 4-8 months against Brucellosis. The National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP), launched in 2019, is a cornerstone of this effort, with an outlay of Rs. 13,343 crore until 2024, aiming to control FMD by 2025 and eradicate it by 2030.
To enhance accessibility, the scheme introduces Mobile Veterinary Units (MVUs), customized vehicles equipped for diagnosis, treatment, and minor surgeries. These units, deployed at a ratio of one per lakh livestock, provide doorstep services, particularly in remote rural areas. State-level call centers will coordinate MVUs, ensuring rapid response to farmers’ needs based on emergency calls. This initiative addresses the shortage of veterinarians in rural India, where only 60 recognized veterinary colleges exist, insufficient to meet demand.
The program also strengthens diagnostic capabilities through an expanded laboratory network, including the North East Regional Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (NERDDL) in Guwahati. This state-of-the-art facility supports early detection and management of diseases like Peste-des-Petits Ruminants (PPR) and Haemorrhagic Septicaemia, reducing economic losses and zoonotic risks. The scheme promotes collaboration between veterinarians, Veterinary Paraprofessionals (VPPs), and Community Animal Health Workers (CAHWs), or Pashu Sakhis, to extend services to underserved regions.
Livestock insurance is another key component, offering financial protection against animal losses due to diseases, accidents, or natural disasters. Subsidies cover up to 50% of premium costs for two animals per farmer, making it accessible for small and marginal farmers. This safety net encourages reinvestment in livestock, ensuring income stability.
The initiative aligns with the National One Health Mission, which integrates animal, human, and environmental health to mitigate zoonotic disease risks. With additional co-financing of US$259 million and co-investment of US$82 million, the scheme will be implemented across 12 states, focusing on surveillance, risk communication, and institutional capacity building. The 21st Livestock Census, covering 280 million households, will provide critical data to guide these efforts.
India’s livestock sector, contributing 30.19% to agricultural GDP and supporting 70% of rural households, faces challenges like antimicrobial resistance and inadequate infrastructure. The scheme addresses these by promoting judicious antibiotic use and upgrading veterinary hospitals and dispensaries under the Establishment & Strengthening of Veterinary Hospital and Dispensaries (ESVHD) program.
By fostering entrepreneurship and breed improvement, the initiative also supports the National Livestock Mission (NLM), revised in 2021-22, to enhance meat, milk, egg, and wool production. This holistic approach not only safeguards livestock but also empowers farmers, strengthens rural economies, and ensures food security.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information from government websites, recent news reports, and credible sources like the World Bank and FAO. Data and figures are accurate as of October 2024. Readers are advised to verify details with official sources for the latest updates.