- KCC coverage for animal husbandry farmers rose to 50.42 lakh in FY 2025–26.
- Milk production reached 247.87 million tonnes in 2024–25.
- Government is expanding scientific breeding and fodder development programmes.
- Tamil Nadu has 245 Mobile Veterinary Units providing doorstep services.
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 11th Aug: Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh has highlighted significant growth in India’s livestock sector, citing rising institutional credit access, increased milk production and expansion of scientific breeding and animal healthcare initiatives.
According to the Ministry, Kisan Credit Card (KCC) coverage among animal husbandry farmers reached 50.42 lakh beneficiaries in FY 2025–26, up from 15.08 lakh in 2021–22.
India’s annual milk production also increased to 247.87 million tonnes in 2024–25, exceeding domestic demand of 243 million tonnes. Dairy exports stood at USD 407.18 million in FY 2025–26.
Focus on Scientific Breeding
The government is expanding the Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) to promote scientific breeding, conserve indigenous cattle breeds, improve the genetic quality of bovine populations and enhance milk production and productivity.
The National Livestock Mission (NLM) is being implemented to promote scientific livestock breeding and improve fodder quality. The scheme also focuses on employment generation, entrepreneurship development and increasing productivity in meat, goat milk, egg and wool production.
Under the NLM-Entrepreneurship Development Programme, 50 per cent capital subsidy is provided to individuals, Farmer Producer Organisations, Self-Help Groups, Joint Liability Groups, Farmer Cooperative Organisations and Section 8 companies.
The programme covers areas including livestock and poultry breed development, feed and fodder development, research and development, livestock insurance and extension activities.
Strengthening Animal Healthcare
The government is also implementing the Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP) to strengthen disease prevention and veterinary healthcare.
Under the programme, 100 per cent financial assistance is provided to States and Union Territories for vaccination against economically important livestock diseases, including Foot and Mouth Disease, Brucellosis, Peste des Petits Ruminants and Classical Swine Fever.
Financial assistance is also provided for state-prioritised vaccination programmes, control of emerging and exotic diseases, laboratory strengthening, disease surveillance, training and awareness.
245 Mobile Veterinary Units in Tamil Nadu
In Tamil Nadu, financial assistance is being provided on a cost-sharing basis for the operation of 245 Mobile Veterinary Units (MVUs).
The units are intended to deliver veterinary services directly at farmers’ doorsteps, strengthening access to animal healthcare, particularly for livestock-owning communities.
The government said the measures are aimed at improving livestock productivity, strengthening disease control, promoting entrepreneurship and enhancing the economic opportunities available to farmers through the animal husbandry sector.
