India: new Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme approved

The Indian cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved on March 5 the revision of the Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP). The revised scheme has three components: the National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP), LH&DC, and Pashu Aushadhi. This last one has been added to the original programme and aims to provide good quality and affordable generic veterinary medicine to farmers. On its part, LH&DC is made of three sub-components which were briefly presented to the press by Information Minister Ashwani Vaishnaw: Critical Animal Disease Control Programme (CADCP), Establishment and Strengthening of existing Veterinary Hospitals and Dispensaries – Mobile Veterinary Unit (ESVHD-MVU), and Assistance to States for Control of Animal Diseases (ASCAD). The total outlay of the new LHDCP is Rs 3880 crore for the years 2024-2025 and 2025-2026.
In an official release, the Indian government recognizes the negative impact of illnesses like Food and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Brucellosis on livestock productivity. The new LHDCP will help prevent them through immunization and reduce financial losses among farmers. The scheme also includes surveillance measures and the upgrade of healthcare facilities. Furthermore, measures like ESVHD-MVU and Pashu Aishadhi aim to create a door-step livestock healthcare system and improve the availability of generic veterinary medicine. As stated in the release, the government hopes that the new LHDCP will not only prevent economic losses but also improve productivity and create jobs in rural areas.