The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister has approved the revision of the Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP) with a total outlay of ₹3,880 crore for the years 2024-26 with a  new component Pashu Aushadhi. 

About Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP)

• The Government of India introduced LHDCP in 2022 to provide support for eradication and control of diseases of livestock.
• Centrally Sponsored Scheme: The budget allocation is done through Central-State Fund Sharing.
  • 60:40 for general States.
  • 90:10 for Northeast and Himalayan States.
  • 100% funded by the Central Government for Union Territories.
• Objective: 
• • To enhance animal health by implementing prophylactic vaccination programmes against major livestock and poultry diseases.
  • To support capacity building, disease surveillance, and strengthening of veterinary infrastructure for better healthcare services.
• Implemented by : The Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying under the Government of India.
• Diseases Covered: Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), Brucellosis, Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), Classical Swine Fever (CSF), Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD), Anthrax, Rabies and Other zoonotic and economically significant livestock diseases.

Components of LHDCP

• National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP): It aims to eradicate Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Brucellosis through mass vaccination of livestock.
• Livestock Health & Disease Control (LH&DC): Focuses on disease prevention and healthcare infrastructure development. It has following Sub-components:
  • Critical Animal Disease Control Programme (CADCP): Targets PPR and CSF to prevent economic losses in livestock farming.
  • Establishment and Strengthening of Veterinary Hospitals and Dispensaries – Mobile Veterinary Unit (ESVHD-MVU): Facilitates door-step delivery of livestock healthcare services through Mobile Veterinary Units (MVUs).
  • Assistance to States for Control of Animal Diseases (ASCAD): Provides financial support to states for disease prevention and control, including measures against Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD).
• Pashu Aushadhi: A newly introduced component aimed at improving the availability of affordable generic veterinary medicines.
  • Distribution of medicines through PM-Kisan Samriddhi Kendra and cooperative societies to ensure accessibility for farmers.

Benefits of LHDCP

• Prevention and control of livestock diseases through vaccination, surveillance, and improved healthcare facilities.
• Enhancement of livestock productivity by reducing disease-related losses.
• Employment generation and entrepreneurship opportunities in rural areas.
• Financial security for farmers by minimizing economic losses caused by livestock diseases.