On November 13, 2024, Alka Upadhyaya, Secretary of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), presided over a crucial Regional Review Meeting in New Delhi to assess the progress of animal husbandry and dairy programs in Western India. Representatives from six states, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Goa, and Bihar, attended, along with key officials including Additional Secretary Varsha Joshi and Adviser Jagat Hazarika.
The meeting centered around evaluating the ongoing implementation of significant programs such as the Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM), National Livestock Mission (NLM), National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP), and National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD).
Among these, the Livestock Health and Disease Control Program (LHDCP) was highlighted for its focus on immunizing animals against major diseases like Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), Brucellosis, PPR, and Classical Swine Fever (CSF). Upadhyaya stressed the urgency of routine vaccinations and enhanced sero-surveillance, with particular emphasis on creating FMD-free zones to boost disease resilience in livestock populations.
One of the meeting's focal points was dairy sector growth. Upadhyaya urged states to prioritize expanding dairy processing capacities and diversifying dairy products, aiming to elevate India’s position as a global dairy powerhouse. She also underlined the need for increased fodder production, advocating for innovative land-use practices, including the cultivation of fodder on degraded forest land to meet the rising demand.
Additionally, the Secretary highlighted the necessity for comprehensive livestock insurance coverage across states to secure farmers' livelihoods. Concerns about the sluggish progress of the AHDF-Kisan Credit Card (AHDF-KCC) scheme were also raised, with Upadhyaya calling for immediate steps to meet the program's targets.
Another area of focus was the expansion of cooperative networks to strengthen local dairy sectors and increase farmer participation. Upadhyaya also pointed out the importance of data from the ongoing 21st Livestock Census in guiding future policies for animal husbandry.
