Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP)

On March 5, 2025, the Union Cabinet, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP) with a total outlay of ₹3,880 crore for the fiscal years 2024-25 and 2025-26.

This strategic initiative aims to:

• Improve livestock health
• Increase productivity
• Ensure cost-effective veterinary medicines
• Support farmers’ livelihoods across India

Components of the Revised LHDCP

The renewed LHDCP consists of three key elements:

1. National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP)

• Focuses on eradicating major livestock diseases through systematic vaccination and monitoring.

2. Livestock Health & Disease Control (LH&DC)

This component has three sub-programs:

i. Critical Animal Disease Control Programme (CADCP)

• Aims to control major animal diseases and prevent outbreaks.

ii. Establishment & Strengthening of Veterinary Hospitals and Dispensaries – Mobile Veterinary Units (ESVHD-MVU)

• Strengthens veterinary healthcare services
• Deploys mobile veterinary units (MVUs) for doorstep healthcare delivery

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

• Provides financial and technical support to states for effective disease management.

3. Pashu Aushadhi – Affordable Veterinary Medicines

• A new initiative with a ₹75 crore allocation.
• Ensures the availability of high-quality, generic veterinary medicines.
• Includes incentives for medicine distribution to increase accessibility.

Rationale Behind the Initiative LHDCP

The productivity of India’s livestock has been hampered by deadly diseases, including:

• Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD)
• Brucellosis
• Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR)
• Classical Swine Fever (CSF)
• Lumpy Skin Disease
• Productivity of the livestock is impacted adversely due to diseases like  Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), Brucellosis, Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), Classical Swine Fever  (CSF), Lumpy Skin Disease, etc. Implementation of the LHDCP will facilitate reduction in these losses by preventing diseases through immunization.  The Scheme also supports door-step delivery of livestock health care through the subcomponents of Mobile Veterinary Units (ESVHD-MVU) and improving availability of generic veterinary medicine- Pashu Aushadhi  through network of PM-Kisan Samriddhi Kendra and Cooperative Societies. 

These diseases cause economic losses due to:

• Decreased animal productivity
• Higher mortality rates

The LHDCP aims to address these challenges by implementing lifelong immunization programs and improving disease control efforts.

Key Features of the Revised Programme

1. Disease Prevention and Control

• Mass vaccination campaigns
• Continuous disease surveillance
• Upgraded veterinary healthcare facilities

2. Mobile Veterinary Units (MVUs)

• Provide on-the-spot treatment and vaccination services
• Reach remote and underserved areas

3. Affordable Veterinary Medicines

• Pashu Aushadhi ensures the availability of generic veterinary medicines.
• Distributed via PM-Kisan Samriddhi Kendras and cooperative societies.

Anticipated Benefits of LHDCP

1. Improved Livestock Productivity

• Healthier animals will lead to higher yields of milk, meat, and other animal products.

2. Economic Upliftment of Farmers

• Lower disease rates mean less expenditure on treatment and higher earnings.

3. Employment Generation

• Creates jobs in veterinary services and medicine distribution in rural areas.

4. Promotion of Rural Entrepreneurship

• Encourages setting up of veterinary service units and medicine distribution centers.

Government’s Vision and Commitment

Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized that this Cabinet approval will:

• Improve animal health and productivity
• Increase vaccination coverage
• Enhance mobile veterinary services
• Ensure affordable veterinary medicines

Implementation Strategy

The successful implementation of LHDCP requires a collaborative effort among:

• Central and state governments
• Veterinary professionals
• Local communities

1. Capacity Building

• Training programs to enhance veterinary skills in disease diagnosis and treatment.

2. Community Engagement

• Awareness campaigns for farmers on:
  • Disease prevention
  • Importance of vaccinations
  • Availability of affordable medicines

3. Monitoring and Evaluation

• Regular assessments to track program effectiveness.
• Feedback mechanisms to identify and resolve challenges.

End Note

The revamped LHDCP marks a significant milestone in India’s agriculture and rural development. By addressing critical livestock health issues, the program aims to:

• Boost animal productivity
• Enhance farmer incomes
• Make veterinary medicines accessible and affordable

With effective implementation over the next two years, this initiative can transform the livestock sector, contributing to sustainable agriculture and rural prosperity.