Propel livestock production to increase India's GDP Link

According to Niti Aayog, animal husbandry and dairying can reap 10 times more profit compared to crop production. It follows that for raising rural living standards, there must be an increase in livestock production in terms of quality, productivity and quantity.

Despite being the world's largest milk producer, India could not break into the top 15 milk and dairy exporting countries, and buffalo meat exports are struggling to lionise key markets like China. Higher sanitation norms and health parameters in major markets restrict or preclude imports of milk, dairy products and other livestock products. Vaccination for Foot & Mouth Disease is part of a volunteer-run programme to inject about 1 billion doses of vaccine per year and free bovines from FMD, resulting in wide acceptance of Indian milk, dairy products and buffalo meat across the world.

"Government has launched the "National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP) for control of Foot & Mouth Disease (FMD) and Brucellosis" with a financial outlay of 13,343 Crore for five years from 2019. This scheme envisages complete control of FMD by 2025 with vaccination and its eventual eradication by 2030. This will result in increased domestic production and increased exports of milk and livestock products" - Economic Survey 2019-20

Milk productivity in India is a fraction of what is achieved elsewhere. For example, an Indian cow's average yearly milk production is around 2,000 kg while in the US, the figure crosses the 10,000 kg mark. Better breeding of cattle has the potential to catapult profits by 6 to 8 times. Advanced artificial insemination technology from two American companies will help select only females calves to be born, and cow inseminated using semen of genetically superior bulls can ensure healthier herds, increased milk production and better fertility.

Details of livestock schemes from NDA

Government has launched three "potentially game-changing" or mega-schemes to fuel the growth of millions of livestock farmers in India. It estimates that in the next 5 years, livestock farmers will save losses worth Rs 2.50 lakh crore, increase incomes four times and contribute a major share in India's GDP. Govt wants to double the growth of the livestock sector from 6% to 12-15% per year. 

National Livestock Mission (NLM), commenced in 2014-15, aims is to improve livestock production systems and capacity building of all stakeholders. It covers matters of productivity, improving availability and quality of feed and fodder, sustainable development, pig farming in NE India, skill development, technology transfer and extension services. Link

Livestock health (and infection control programmes for FMD & Brucellosis), aims to control or vanquish diseases of economic importance as they cause huge economic losses nationally. Vaccinations are given for FMD, Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), Brucellosis, Classical swine fever, etc. Monies will go to set up National Institute of Animal health (standards setting), National Animal Disease Reporting System (NADRS), new & improved Veterinary Hospitals and Dispensaries, new central & regional diagnostic labs, Animal Quarantine and Certification Service (valid for exports), strengthening of State animal disease control agencies and training of veterinary personnel, etc. Link

Cattle and Dairy development includes a programme to conserve and improve the genetic stock of indigenous cattle and buffalo breeds, eg. enhance the average productivity of milk of Gir from 4.85 kg per day to 6.77 kg per day. Govt will fund strengthening infrastructure for the production of quality milk; procurement, processing and marketing of milk and milk products through following Dairy Development Schemes : - National Programme for Dairy Development(NPDD) - National Dairy Plan (Phase-I) - Dairy Entrepreneurship Development Scheme(DEDS) - Support to Dairy Cooperatives - Dairy Processing and Infrastructure Development Fund (DIDF) Link