Revised Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP)

Syllabus: GS3/ Agriculture

In Context

• The Union Cabinet approved the Revision of Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP). 
  • The Pashu Aushadhi is a new component added to the LHDCP scheme.

Overview of LHDCP

• Total Outlay: ₹3,880 crore for the years 2024-25 and 2025-26
• Objective:
  • To improve livestock health through prophylactic vaccination programs.
  • To enhance capacity building, disease surveillance, and veterinary infrastructure.
  • To prevent economic losses due to livestock diseases.
• Key Components of the Revised Scheme:
  • The revised LHDCP consists of three major components:
    • National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP)
    • Livestock Health & Disease Control (LH&DC)
    • Pashu Aushadhi (Newly Introduced Component)
  • Sub-Components of LH&DC:
    • Critical Animal Disease Control Programme (CADCP): Focuses on controlling Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) and Classical Swine Fever (CSF).
    • Establishment & Strengthening of Veterinary Hospitals & Dispensaries – Mobile Veterinary Units (ESVHD-MVU): Aims to provide doorstep veterinary healthcare to farmers.
    • Assistance to States for Control of Animal Diseases (ASCAD): Covers state-prioritized exotic, emergent, and zoonotic animal diseases, including Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD).

Pashu Aushadhi Initiative

• Objective: To ensure the availability of affordable generic veterinary medicines for livestock farmers.
  • To reduce treatment costs for farmers by promoting non-branded, cost-effective veterinary drugs.
• Implementing Ministry: Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
• Key Features:

Major Livestock Diseases Targeted

• LHDCP focuses on controlling various critical livestock diseases that impact productivity and cause economic losses:
  • Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD): Leads to reduced milk production and weight loss in cattle, buffaloes, and pigs.
  • Brucellosis: Causes infertility, abortions, and low milk yield in cattle and buffaloes.
  • Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR): A highly fatal disease affecting sheep and goats.
  • Classical Swine Fever (CSF): A viral disease in pigs, leading to high mortality rates.
  • Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD): Affects cattle, causing skin lesions and severe economic losses.

Status of Livestock Sector in India

• About:
  • India has the world’s largest population of livestock and plays a crucial role in the global meat and dairy industry.
  • India is the largest producer of buffalo meat and the second-largest producer of goat meat.
  • India ranks first in milk production, contributing 23% of global milk production.
• Significance of the Livestock Sector in India: 
  • Key Economic Contributions: In 2021-22, the total Livestock Gross Value Added (GVA) at constant prices was 30.19% of Agricultural and Allied Sector GVA and 5.73% of Total GVA.
  • Employment Generation: Livestock rearing is a major source of livelihood for over 70% of rural households in India.
  • Food and Nutritional Security: Livestock products such as milk, meat, and eggs are rich in essential nutrients, playing a crucial role in combating malnutrition.

Other Government Initiatives Supporting Livestock Sector

Source: IE