Recent initiatives and innovations are transforming the livestock sector, from cutting-edge disease control programmes to advanced reproductive technologies, paving the way for a healthier, more productive, and sustainable agricultural future for India.
As India continues its march towards self-sufficiency in various spheres of agronomy and trade, specifically, livestock isn’t ignored either. The Centre has rightly prioritised livestock health, recognising its critical role in delivering better incomes to farmers, ensuring food security and adding to the overall agricultural prosperity. Recent initiatives and innovations are transforming the livestock sector, from cutting-edge disease control programmes to advanced reproductive technologies, paving the way for a healthier, more productive, and sustainable agricultural future for India.
The National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP), LH&DC, and Pashu Aushadhi are the three pillars of the revamped government program designated as the Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP). Additionally, LH&DC comprises three sub-components: Assistance to States for Control of Animal Diseases (ASCAD), Establishment and Strengthening of Existing Veterinary Hospitals and Dispensaries-Mobile Veterinary Unit (ESVHD-MVU), and Critical Animal Disease Control Program (CADCP). The scheme’s entire budget for the two years, 2024–2025 and 2025–2026, is Rs 3,880 crore, out of which Rs 75 crore will be spent on providing high-quality, reasonably priced generic veterinary pharmaceuticals and incentives for the sale of medications under the Pashu Aushadhi component, thereby promoting ethnoveterinary medicines, which are based on traditional Indian knowledge and indigenous practices through PM Kisan Samridhi Kendras.
The Prime Minister launched the Animal Husbandry Department’s Sex Sorted Semen and Genomic Chip projects earlier last year for the benefit of the animals. Multinational corporations have been producing sex-sorted semen up until this point since it is highly effective in improving breeds.
Reports from TechSci Research valued the Indian market for animal vaccinations at $ 245.48 Million in 2024 and anticipated it to reach $ 330.59 Million by 2030, with a CAGR of 5.19 per cent during 2025-2030. For instance, Biovet Pvt Ltd, a part of Bharat Biotech Group, announced in February 2025 that the Central Drug Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) of India has approved Biolumpivaxin, a vaccine designed to prevent lump skin disease in dairy calves and buffaloes. “Biolumpivaxin represents a major milestone in India’s veterinary healthcare landscape. As the country’s first live-attenuated, indigenous vaccine against Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD), it offers a powerful weapon against a virus that threatens cattle and buffaloes worldwide. What truly makes this vaccine stand out is its DIVA (Differentiating Infected from Vaccinated Animals) feature. This innovation allows for the precise identification of vaccinated animals, transforming how we approach disease surveillance and outbreak control, stated Dr Sreenivasulu Kilari, Executive Director, Biovet.
Livestock Wellness for AgriResilience
A vital component of total food security, agriculture and livestock production are inextricably intertwined and dependent on one another. The majority of farmers rely on it as a major source of income because it is a reliable “anchor on hooves” in times of need. “What we need today is not just a push for innovation, but a more inclusive innovation—one that addresses the specific needs of small ruminants and revives time-tested, holistic practices. Technology should not replace tradition; rather, it should amplify it. Combining modern science with indigenous wisdom can help us build a livestock healthcare ecosystem that is resilient, ethical, and truly sustainable”, reiterated Biren Sahoo, Founder, Manikstu Agro.’’ From improved breeds to precision feeding and digital health tracking, technological interventions have enhanced productivity and disease management in these segments. However, when it comes to small ruminants—goats and sheep—the segment remains vastly underserved. Vaccination protocols for small ruminants are limited, covering just a couple of diseases. What is more concerning is that even these basic vaccines have not seen updates in years, and their ground-level administration is patchy at best”, added Sahoo.
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