Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh, today informed the Rajya Sabha that the Government of India is implementing a series of focused initiatives to strengthen livestock development, improve dairy productivity, enhance animal health, and promote sustainable rural livelihoods across the country. Through flagship schemes such as the National Livestock Mission (NLM), Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF), Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) and Livestock Health & Disease Control Programme (LHDCP), the Government is supporting infrastructure creation, scientific breeding, disease control, fodder development and entrepreneurship in the livestock sector.

The Minister informed that entrepreneurs in Assam are being supported under the National Livestock Mission and the Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund to establish modern pig breeding farms and pork processing units. During the last three years, subsidy of ₹4.98 crore has been released for 50 livestock projects, including 23 pig breeding farms, under the Entrepreneurship Development Programme of NLM. Under AHIDF, ₹1.44 crore has been released as interest subvention for eight projects, including one pig breeding farm.

Further, ₹41.67 crore has been released under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission for bovine genetic improvement, ₹124.29 crore under the Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme, and ₹7.74 crore under the National Livestock Mission for various livestock development activities during 2024-25 and 2025-26.

To strengthen scientific pig breeding, the Government has sanctioned ₹1.80 crore for establishing a Pig Semen Collection and Processing Laboratory in Assam to promote artificial insemination and genetic improvement. The Department has also published "Good Husbandry Practices in Pig Farming" to encourage scientific pig farming. In addition, 9,92,863 Classical Swine Fever vaccinations have been administered free of cost in the State, supporting disease control, employment generation and export potential.

Improving Dairy Productivity and Strengthening Fodder Security

The Minister stated that India's average bovine milk productivity has increased from 1,648 kg per animal per year in 2014-15 to 2,251 kg in 2024-25, while national milk production has risen by 70 per cent, from 146 million metric tonnes to 248 million metric tonnes over the same period.

To address fodder shortages, the Government is implementing multiple interventions under the National Livestock Mission, including quality fodder seed production and support for hay, silage and Total Mixed Ration (TMR) infrastructure. During the last five years, ₹1,152.40 crore has been released, resulting in the production of 1.6 lakh tonnes of quality fodder seed. Under NLM-EDP, 204 fodder-related projects have been approved, while AHIDF has supported 174 animal feed plants with investments of ₹3,602.47 crore.

The Minister further informed that 100 dedicated Fodder-Plus Farmer Producer Organisations have been established by the National Dairy Development Board, while ICAR-Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute has developed high-yielding forage varieties, state-specific fodder development plans and trained over 10 lakh farmers. The Government has also issued heatwave management guidelines to States and Union Territories and continues to promote indigenous cattle breeds known for their resilience to high temperatures. Digital advisory services are being provided through the 1962 Farmers App under Bharat Pashudhan, enabling farmers to adopt scientific ration balancing practices.

Replying to a separate question on Andhra Pradesh, the Minister informed that under the National Animal Disease Control Programme, implemented as part of the Livestock Health & Disease Control Programme, the Government provides 100 percent Central assistance for vaccination against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Brucellosis.

***

SM

(रिलीज़ आईडी: 2294737) आगंतुक पटल : 272