Southern states, UTs urged to boost poultry, dairy, and livestock

A regional review meeting assessed key animal husbandry programs in Southern States & UTs, focusing on infrastructure, entrepreneurship, veterinary education, disease control, and the significance of the 21st Livestock Census.

Under the chairmanship of Ms. Alka Upadhyaya, Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), a high-level Regional Review Meeting was conducted in New Delhi to assess the progress of key animal husbandry programs in Southern states and Union Territories. These included Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Puducherry and Andaman and Nicobar Island.

The meeting focused on the progress of the Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM), National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP), National Livestock Mission (NLM), and the National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD). The Secretary urged effective implementation of these programs, highlighting the importance of infrastructure improvement and entrepreneurship development in the sector. 

Ms. Upadhyaya recommended identifying potential clusters for poultry, pig farming, and other livestock industries, and emphasized the benefits of the Realigned Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF) to maximize opportunities for entrepreneurship. She also stressed the need to use certified fodder seeds to enhance fodder quality and livestock productivity.

The Secretary noted the need to expand veterinary education to address the growing demand for veterinary professionals, encouraging states to establish more veterinary colleges and leverage Self-Help Groups (SHGs) under the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) for stronger community involvement. Additionally, strengthening veterinary infrastructure, including hospitals, diagnostics, and health reporting systems, was highlighted to enhance animal welfare and productivity. The NADCP’s role in controlling diseases like Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) and Brucellosis was discussed, with focus on six-monthly livestock vaccinations. 

Additional discussions covered, Assistance to States for Control of Animal Diseases (ASCAD), the deployment of Mobile Veterinary Units (MVUs), and creating “Pashukalyan Samities” at the grassroots level. Expanding the Organized Dairy Sector, supporting entrepreneurship in goat and poultry farming, and utilizing NLM and AHIDF benefits to bolster the livestock sector in the Southern region were emphasized.

At the conclusion of the meeting Ms. Upadhyaya emphasised the significance of the 21st Livestock Census, noting its role in guiding future policy and urging the use of technology to ensure its successful implementation.