Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP)

• The Union Cabinet approved changes to the Rs 3,880-crore Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP).

• The total budget provided for the Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP) was Rs 3,880 crore for 2024-25 and 2025-26.

• Pashu Aushadhi is the new component added to the LHDCP scheme.

• The Cabinet approved a provision of Rs 75 crore from the total budget allocation for supplying good quality and affordable generic veterinary medicine and an incentive for sale of medicines under Pashu Aushadhi component.

Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme

• The government of India implements the Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP) across the country with the aim of reducing risk to animal health by prophylactic vaccination against animal diseases, capacity building of veterinary services, disease surveillance and strengthening veterinary infrastructure. 

• While Animal Husbandry is a State Subject, the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying implements the Central Sector Scheme in all states with the aim of reducing risk to animal health by prophylactic vaccination against diseases of animals.

• The programme focuses on the prevention of diseases like Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), Brucellosis, Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF), Lumpy Skin Disease, etc, through immunization.

• The scheme also supports door-step delivery of livestock health care and improving the availability of generic veterinary medicine.

The scheme has three components:

i) National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP)

ii) Livestock Health and Disease Control (LH&DC)

iii) Pashu Aushadhi.

LH&DC has three sub-components:

i) Critical Animal Disease Control Programme (CADCP)

ii) Establishment and Strengthening of existing Veterinary Hospitals and Dispensaries - Mobile Veterinary Unit (ESVHD-MVU).

iii) Assistance to States for Control of Animal Diseases (ASCAD). 

• India is the world’s largest milk producer. Being FMD-free and having a systematic and well-documented vaccination programme will help in the export of milk and milk products in a significant way and improve farmers’ income.

• The LHDCP will help in the prevention and control of livestock diseases through vaccination, surveillance and upgradation of healthcare facilities.

• Also, the scheme will improve productivity, generate employment, encourage entrepreneurship in rural areas and prevent economic losses of farmers due to disease burden.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)