LIVESTOCK HEALTH & DISEASE CONTROL PROGRAMME: ECONOMY

LIVESTOCK HEALTH & DISEASE CONTROL PROGRAMME: ECONOMY

NEWS: Cabinet approves Revision of Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP)

 

WHAT’SI THE NEWS?

The Cabinet approved the revision of the Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP) with a ₹3,880 crore outlay, adding the Pashu Aushadhi component for affordable veterinary medicines. This aims to address health, economic, and infrastructure challenges in India's livestock sector while ensuring growth and sustainability.

 

Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP) – Cabinet Revision

  • Outlay and New Components:
  • The Cabinet approved a revision of the LHDCP with a total outlay of ₹3,880 crore for FY 2024-25 and FY 2025-26.
  • A new component, Pashu Aushadhi, was introduced with an allocation of ₹75 crore to improve accessibility to affordable veterinary medicines.

 

Status of the Livestock Sector in India

  • India’s Livestock Population:
  • India has the world’s largest population of livestock, with 535.78 million animals as per the 20th Livestock Census (2019).
  • The bovine population, including cattle, buffalo, mithun, and yak, stands at 302.79 million.
  • Contribution to Economy:
  • Livestock contributes significantly to India’s GDP. It accounts for 30.19% of the Agricultural and Allied Sector’s Gross Value Added (GVA) and 5.73% of Total GVA in 2021-22.
  • India is the largest producer of milk, contributing 23% of global milk production.
  • India is also the largest producer of buffalo meat and the second-largest producer of goat meat.
  • Employment Generation:
  • Livestock rearing is a major livelihood source for over 70% of rural households, especially small and marginal farmers and landless laborers.
  • Food and Nutritional Security:
  • Livestock products such as milk, meat, and eggs are rich in essential nutrients, helping in combating malnutrition across the country.
  • Interlinkages with Agriculture:
  • Livestock plays a critical role in agriculture by producing organic inputs like manure, and agricultural waste is used as fodder for animals.

Challenges Faced by the Livestock Sector in India

  • Health and Veterinary Issues:
  • High economic losses due to diseases like Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), Brucellosis, Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF), and Lumpy Skin Disease.
  • Zoonotic diseases, which can be transmitted between animals and humans, have posed significant challenges, including recent outbreaks of COVID-19, Ebola, and Avian Influenza.
  • Insufficient infrastructure for veterinary care, with fewer than 60 recognized veterinary colleges in India to meet the demand for veterinarians.
  • Anti-microbial resistance (AMR) is a growing concern, with India ranking 4th globally in antibiotics usage in animals, especially in the poultry sector.
  • Economic Issues:
  • Low Productivity: Due to poor nutrition, inadequate management practices, and low genetic potential of local breeds, the average productivity of cattle in India is significantly lower than the global average.
      • Example: Average annual productivity of cattle in India is 1777 kg/animal/year, while the world average is 2699 kg/animal/year.
  • Unorganised Sector: Around 50% of total meat production comes from unregistered, makeshift slaughterhouses.
  • High Marketing Costs: Livestock product transaction costs are about 15-20% of the sale price.
  • Low Insurance Coverage: Only 15.47% of animals in India are covered under insurance.
  • Fodder Shortage: India has only 5% of its cultivable land under fodder production, while it has 11% of the global livestock population, creating significant pressure on land and water resources.
  • Lack of Extension Services: While veterinary health services exist, there is no exclusive livestock extension program to help farmers manage animal husbandry effectively.
  • Environmental Issues:
  • Greenhouse gas emissions from enteric methane produced by Indian livestock contribute 15.1% of the global enteric methane emissions.

 

Livestock Health & Disease Control Programme (LHDCP)

  • Aim: The LHDCP seeks to improve animal health by implementing preventive measures like vaccination programs, strengthening veterinary infrastructure, and building capacity for disease surveillance.
  • Key Objectives:
  • Implement the Critical Animal Disease Control Programme (CADCP) to eradicate PPR (sheep and goat plague) by 2030 and control Classical Swine Fever (CSF) by vaccinating the pig population.
  • Provide veterinary services through Mobile Veterinary Units (MVUs) to bring healthcare to the farmers' doorsteps.
  • Assist states/UTs in controlling important livestock and poultry diseases through Assistance to States for Control of Animal Diseases (ASCAD).

 

Revised LHDCP Components

  1. National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP):
    • Focuses on immunization and control of major livestock diseases, ensuring a healthier livestock population.
  1. Livestock Health and Disease Control (LH&DC):
    • Comprises three sub-components:
      • Critical Animal Disease Control Programme (CADCP): Aimed at tackling key livestock diseases such as FMD, Brucellosis, and others.
      • Establishment and Strengthening of Veterinary Hospitals & Dispensaries (ESVHD-MVU): Includes the deployment of Mobile Veterinary Units (MVUs) to ensure better veterinary care in rural areas.
      • Assistance to States for Control of Animal Diseases (ASCAD): Offers both financial and technical support to state governments to help them control livestock diseases.
  1. Pashu Aushadhi Kendras (New Component):
    • Aim to provide affordable, high-quality generic veterinary medicines.
    • The medicines will be distributed through PM-Kisan Samriddhi Kendras and cooperative societies.
    • The Kendras will also sell ethno-veterinary medicines, based on indigenous knowledge and traditional healing practices.

 

Other Initiatives in the Livestock Sector

  • Rashtriya Gokul Mission:
  • Focuses on the development and conservation of indigenous cattle breeds through selective breeding and genetic upgrading.
  • National Livestock Mission:
  • Aims to improve the quality and quantity of livestock production systems, focusing on enhancing capacity-building for all stakeholders involved in the sector.
  • Kisan Credit Card (KCC):
  • The KCC scheme has been extended to the livestock sector to provide easier access to credit for farmers involved in animal husbandry.
  • Dairy Development Programs:
  • Schemes such as the National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD) and Dairy Entrepreneurship Development Scheme (DEDS) aim to modernize the dairy sector and promote entrepreneurship within it.

 

Way Forward and Key Recommendations

  • Addressing the Fodder and Infrastructure Shortages: Significant efforts should be made to increase fodder production and improve livestock infrastructure, including veterinary services.
  • Improving Productivity: Boosting productivity in the livestock sector through better breeding practices, improved management systems, and better nutrition can help reduce the economic gap.
  • Promoting Technological Interventions: Advancing technology in veterinary services and introducing disease-resistant breeds could play a key role in enhancing the sector’s productivity and sustainability.
  • Incentivizing Farmers: Strengthening the financial inclusion of farmers through insurance and credit schemes like KCC can help provide financial security for livestock owners, especially in case of disease outbreaks or natural calamities.

 

Source: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2108419#:~:text=The%20Union%20Cabinet%2C%20chaired%20by,has%20three%20sub%2Dcomponents%20i.e.