Government Strengthens Livestock Development, Dairy Productivity and Animal Health Across the Country

The article details the Indian government's initiatives to bolster livestock development, dairy productivity, and animal health. Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh highlighted flagship schemes like the National Livestock Mission (NLM), Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF), Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM), and Livestock Health & Disease Control Programme (LHDCP). These schemes support infrastructure, scientific breeding, disease control, fodder development, and entrepreneurship. Specific examples include support for pig farming in Assam, establishment of a Pig Semen Collection and Processing Laboratory, and widespread Classical Swine Fever vaccination. The article also notes significant increases in bovine milk productivity and national milk production. Efforts to improve fodder security involve quality seed production, support for hay/silage/TMR, FPOs, and high-yielding forage varieties by ICAR-IGFRI. Disease control measures include 100% Central assistance for FMD and Brucellosis vaccination under the National Animal Disease Control Programme, and digital advisory services via the Bharat Pashudhan app.