New Delhi: In a bid to combat the spread of animal diseases and bolster livestock rearing, Secretary of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), Alka Upadhyaya, urged western Indian states to accelerate vaccination efforts. This call to action came during a regional review meeting held on November 13th in New Delhi, where representatives from Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Goa, and Bihar convened to discuss the progress of key departmental programs. Additional Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, Secretaries, Directors, and scheme officers from the Western States’ Animal Husbandry and Dairying Departments met, a PIB press release stated.
Emphasising the significance of disease control, Upadhyaya stressed the need for timely reporting and sero-surveillance, particularly in establishing Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) free zones. The review meeting focused on the progress of several centrally funded schemes, including the Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM), Entrepreneurship Development under the National Livestock Mission (NLM), the National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP), and the National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD).
The Livestock Health and Disease Control Program (LHDCP), a flagship initiative of the Indian government, was also scrutinized. The program targets major livestock diseases such as FMD, Brucellosis, PPR (Peste des Petits Ruminants), and Classical Swine Fever (CSF). Discussions centered on the status of six-monthly vaccinations for cattle, buffaloes, sheep, and goats, along with the implementation of components under Assistance to States for Control of Animal Diseases (ASCAD), the operationalization of Mobile Veterinary Units (MVUs), and the formation of “Pashukalyan Samities.”
The meeting reviewed the physical and financial status of key schemes: Rashtriya Gokul Mission, Entrepreneurship Development under National Livestock Mission, National Animal Disease Control Programme, and National Programme for Dairy Development. Upadhyaya urged states to prioritize fodder production, maximize land utilization, and explore degraded forest areas for cultivation. She also highlighted the importance of livestock insurance coverage, urging all states and territories to extend the coverage to all livestock. She highlighted the need to increase processing capacity, and diversify dairy products.
The slow progress of the AHDF-Kisan Credit Card (AHDF-KCC) scheme was also addressed, with a call for immediate action to meet targets. Furthermore, the Secretary stressed the importance of expanding the cooperative network across states to strengthen the dairy sector. The meeting concluded with a reminder of the significance of the 21st Livestock Census in formulating future policies for the Animal Husbandry Sector.