Cabinet approves ₹3,880 crore scheme to prevent, control livestock diseases

The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved the revision of the Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP) with a total outlay of ₹3,880 crore.

The scheme consists of two components: the National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP) and Livestock Health & Disease Control (LH&DC). Additionally, a new component, Pashu Aushadhi, has been introduced.

“LH&DC has three sub-components: the Critical Animal Disease Control Programme (CADCP), the 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 Pashu Aushadhi is a new component added to the LHDCP scheme,” according to a Cabinet communiqué.

“The total outlay of the scheme is ₹3,880 crore for two years, 2024-25 and 2025-26, which includes a provision of ₹75 crore to provide good quality and affordable generic veterinary medicine and incentives for the sale of medicines under the Pashu Aushadhi component,” it added.

The scheme aims to boost livestock productivity, which is adversely impacted by diseases such as foot and mouth disease (FMD), brucellosis, peste des petits ruminants (PPR), classical swine fever (CSF), and lumpy skin disease, among others.

“The implementation of the LHDCP will help reduce these losses by preventing diseases through immunization,” said the Cabinet.

The scheme also supports doorstep delivery of livestock healthcare through mobile veterinary units (ESVHD-MVU). Additionally, it will improve the availability of generic veterinary medicine under Pashu Aushadhi through a network of PM-Kisan Samriddhi Kendras and Cooperative Societies.

It will help prevent and control livestock diseases through vaccination, surveillance, and the upgradation of healthcare facilities, the Cabinet said.

The initiative is also expected to enhance productivity, generate employment, encourage entrepreneurship in rural areas, and prevent economic losses for farmers due to the disease burden.

(Inputs from IANS)