The Prime Minister recently introduced a novel programme called the National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP). The main purpose of this initiative is to combat and eventually eradicate diseases such as Foot & Mouth Disease (FMD) and Brucellosis that affect livestock. The programme was inaugurated in Mathura, marking a significant move towards safeguarding the health of the country’s livestock.
Aims of the National Animal Disease Control Programme
A notable aspect of the NADCP includes the planned vaccination of over 600 million cattle in a bid to control and eliminate FMD and brucellosis. Moreover, it sets out to annually vaccinate 36 million female bovine calves as part of its strategy against brucellosis.
The ultimate goal is to control these widespread livestock diseases by 2025 and completely eradicate them by 2030. The livestock targeted under the scheme include cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, and pigs, specifically for FMD prevention. Importantly, the Central Government will wholly fund the project.
Table – National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP) Facts
| Programme | Number of Cattle to be vaccinated | Livestock Covered |
|---|---|---|
| NADCP | 600+ million | Cattle, Buffalo, Sheep, Goats, Pigs |
National Artificial Insemination Programme & Importance of Allied Activities
Alongside the launch of NADCP, the National Artificial Insemination Programme was also introduced. This event included a country-wide workshop in all the Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) throughout 687 districts on topics such as ‘vaccination and disease management, Artificial Insemination, and Productivity’.
The role of Animal Husbandry and other associated activities is crucial in enhancing the income of farmers. Investment in fields such as Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, bee-keeping, amongst others, is likely to yield more significant returns to the farmers. The recent approach to farming and allied activities in India has seen considerable change. Innovation and new technology are now fundamental for expanding the Dairy Sector in India—a fact highlighted by the launch of the “Start-up Brand Challenge”.
Understanding the Role of Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs)
KVKs are essential components of the National Agricultural Research System (NARS), aiming at location-specific technology modules assessment in agriculture and allied enterprises through technology assessment, refinement, and demonstrations. They act as a Knowledge and Resource Centre of agricultural technology, supporting initiatives of public, private, and voluntary sectors in improving the agricultural economy and linking NARS with the extension system and farmers. This programme is fully funded by the Government of India.
Swachhta Hi Seva Campaign
In addition to the above initiatives, the event also saw the launch of the ‘Swachhta Hi Seva’ programme, an effort to reduce the usage of single-use plastics in India. The Swachhta Hi Seva initiative seeks to speed up the momentum of the Swachch Bharat Mission, making it a popular movement geared towards realizing the vision of a Clean India, reinforcing the message that ‘Sanitation is everyone’s business’.
(Source: PIB)
