NATIONAL LIVESTOCK POLICY, 2024

INTRODUCTION

The livestock of a country plays a crucial role in a country’s agrarian landscape. The word ‘Livestock’
(Cambridge) means the birds and animals kept on a farm. The business of raising livestock is called Animal
Husbandry. These two terms i.e. livestock and animal husbandry are interconnected and are also used
interchangeably. A healthy livestock would help to foster the animal husbandry sector’s growth. The factors
influencing the livestock are breeding practices, animal health care facility, nutritional standards, etc. which in
turn also influences the market dynamics of animal husbandry.

The importance of the livestock sector in India in economic terms is multidimensional that encompasses
various dimensions thereby significantly contributing to India’s economy. India’s livestock sector forms 4.11%
of its GDP & and 25.6% of Agriculture's GDP. Livestock also influences food security, export earnings,
various allied industries, etc. Furthermore, it also employs 8% of India’s labour force thereby contributing to
the creation of employment in the country.

However, this sector is also confronted by many multifaceted challenges. The challenges include limited access
to veterinary services, lack of changes in breeding practices, inadequate infrastructure, climate uncertainties,
etc. These all can have a significant effect on this sector’s growth. Furthermore, accompanying these challenges
are problems like the prevalence of diseases, issues of feed availability, etc. which call for concerted efforts
from all stakeholders to deal with these issues.

The Directive Principle of State Policy under the Indian Constitution (Article 48) emphasizes the duty of the
state to organize the animal husbandry sector on the scientific lines. It also asks states to focus on improving &
and preserving the breeds illustrative of the foresightedness of our constitution framers in recognizing the
importance of the animal husbandry sector in the economy. The ‘Livestock & Animal husbandry’ falls under
the state list (List 15 & 21). However, the Central government to complement the efforts of the states and bring
unanimity can unveil a policy framework to deal with issues in the sector.

In this context, National Livestock Policy, 2024 (hereinafter referred to as policy) aims to address these
challenges by identifying some key focal points thereby offering effective solutions to concerned issues
plaguing this sector. The policy recognizes the interplay between the livestock situation, the business of animal
husbandry, and the broader agricultural economy. Therefore, by systematically addressing these challenges, the
policy seeks to create a progressive environment for all stakeholders thereby aiding to productivity of the
animal husbandry sector while also contributing to the economic growth of the country.
GOALS & OBJECTIVES:

The National Livestock Policy, 2024 attempts to unveil the visionary framework to foster the animal husbandry
sector while also ensuring the well-being of the livestock industry. The policy has identified four crucial
domains viz, animal health care services, breeding policy, fostering research and innovation, and development
in livestock production. In this context, the goals and objectives of the policy for achieving its purpose are as
follows:

DOMAIN 1. ENHANCING ANIMAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES.

GOAL: The policy aims to ensure the well-being of the existing livestock by providing effective healthcare
services.

OBJECTIVE:

To strengthen the framework of the veterinary services in the country.

To upgrade the existing infrastructure for diagnostic laboratories.

To have a comprehensive reporting and monitoring system for early detection of disease.

DOMAIN 2. BREEDING POLICY

GOAL: The policy aims to improve existing breeding practices to improve overall quality and quantity of
production.

OBJECTIVE:

To frame a policy focusing on selective breeding, cross-breeding, genetic improvement, etc.

To have capacity-building for breeders and farmers by changing existing practices.

DOMAIN 3. FOSTERING RESEARCH AND INNOVATION

GOAL:

The policy aims to support research and innovation in the livestock sector to bring environment-friendly
practices that result in better output than existing practices.

OBJECTIVES:

To research farmer-oriented issues to address the crucial factors behind the output.

To have clarity by pre-identifying sectors for targeted research directions.

To focus on establishing a collaborative platform for all stakeholders.

DOMAIN 4. LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION

GOAL:

The policy attempts to contribute to the growth of animal husbandry by increasing livestock production thereby
contributing to the economic growth of the country.

OBJECTIVE

To focus on increasing the outcome level of economically important products like poultry products, milk, wool,
and meat.

STAKEHOLDERS:

The policy considering its goals & and objectives has identified the following key stakeholders in the broader
framework unveiled by it for the livestock & and animal husbandry sector:

CENTRAL GOVERNMENT

The central government is the most important stakeholder as it frames the policy for the economy of the country
which affects every sector. Furthermore, even though the livestock and animal husbandry issue falls outside its
scope, it has unveiled the broader framework through this policy to support states in this domain.

STATE GOVERNMENT

The state government is a stakeholder because the issue of animal husbandry is mentioned within the state list.
The implementation is a key factor for the success of any policy which is at the hands of the state government.
The state government in line with national policy can frame its policy according to prevailing circumstances
and the situation of the state.

FARMERS

Farmers are the stakeholder because they are one of the main contributors to the production of livestock. The
policy directly impacts their economic position, and livelihood thereby requiring their consideration and
involvement.

ANIMAL HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS

As Policy deals with livestock i.e. animals, the health of livestock would be the deciding factor for the
achievement of any outcome. Hence, animal healthcare professionals have an important role to play in the
overall framework.

CONSUMERS
The consumers are the ones who are at the receiving end of the policy. The concerns regarding the ethical
treatment of animals, food safety, etc. directly affect the consumers making them important stakeholders in this
framework.

OTHER STAKEHOLDERS:

In light of the policy touching on issues like the production level of livestock, breeding, research, etc., some
other stakeholders in the policy are SHGs, Agribusiness, livestock breeders, research and scientists etc.

1. Animal Healthcare Services

This policy redefines the overall role and mandate of the Department of Animal Husbandry at the central
government. The new focal points identified in the sector are the control and prevention of animal diseases and
changes in the structure of providing veterinary services, etc. which are delineated below.

1.1. Changes in Veterinary Service

The proposed changes are to be made within the time frame of 10 years. The first step, envisaged by the policy
is to convert the existing dispensary, livestock aid centers, and veterinary hospitals into mobile practices. This
would help in providing doorstep delivery services to farmers. The second step would be to provide capital
grants to these institutions for implementing the previous step. The last step is to bring the necessary changes in
these institutions to handle the new system.

1.2. Food & Mouth Disease (FMD) Control and Prevention Programme

The government has proposed to unveil a national plan in coordination with the state governments to tackle the
FMD disease which is caused in the foot and mouth of animals by seven different viruses. The policy gives a
special focus on the coastal states as it’s easier to control this disease due to help from the sea in stopping the
ingress of the bacteria.

Apart from this, the policy proposes to conduct a risk assessment and surveillance tests, carry out outreach and
education programs, quarantine and movement control measures, and bring out detailed guidelines on the
biosecurity measures on livestock farms, R&D including vaccine development, etc.

1.3. Control and prevention of other diseases

The policy also focuses on diseases like bovine diseases, goat and sheep diseases, poultry diseases, etc. The
most important way identified by it is to have vaccinations. In this regard, it had continued the vaccinations like
HS and BQ used for sheep, buffaloes, goats, etc. on a situational basis. The government through coordination
with the state government aims to ensure timely vaccination through early procurement, storage in the
distributive storage points, and then delivering it to associations and SHGs thereby ensuring that it reaches it
prospective users.

1.4. IMPROVING DIAGNOSTIC LABORATORIES

Diagnostic laboratories are an important part of the structure of preventing and controlling any diseases. The
policy focuses on the strengthening of the existing laboratories to deal with emerging diseases by equipping
them with biotechnological methods. There would be an integration of state and district-level informatics centre
with the NIC which would facilitate a real-time exchange of data enabling an effective response to any potential
outbreaks.

The policy will also develop a strong cold chain infrastructure for the storage of diagnostic samples, capacity-
building initiatives for laboratory personnel, awareness of the importance of diagnostic laboratories among the
public, collaboration with state educational institutions dealing in this area, etc.

2. BREEDING POLICY

2.1. Breeding policy forms an important part of the country’s livestock sector as it plays a crucial role in
deciding the productivity of the sector. The policy deals with the breeding policy of camels, cows &
Buffaloes, Pigs, Sheep & goats, etc. Hence, the policy aims to encourage the states to review their
existing breeding policy and fine-tune it according to species, thereby contributing to faster growth in
the production levels.

2.2. Breeding Policy for Cattle and Buffaloes

The policy for increasing lifetime productivity and milk yield of cattle and buffaloes lays down the framework
as follows:

i. There would be a selective breeding of selected indigenous breeds that have high milk yield and
excellent draft abilities. These would also be promoted for improving reproduction potential and
production levels. The policy would also promote importing the semen to reduce the chances of
inbreeding.
ii. The cross-breeding of exotic breeds having high yields which are also suitable for agro-climatic
conditions, for which there are adequate feed and fodder, marketing facilities, etc. would be
promoted.
iii. The policy also focuses on the natural mating system for producing disease-free and high genetic
merit bulls for giving their natural service of mating through progeny testing programs and pedigree
selection.
iv. The policy for effective implementation of the policy would form breed associations involving
farmers.
 2.3. Breeding Policy for Camels

The policy for camels would be molded according to the desert-specific breed. The focus would be on breeds
with high milk production, sports traits, disease resistance, etc. The policy would also deal with the breeding of
camels with a double hump in high altitude areas by importing the semen thereby minimizing chances of
inbreeding.

2.4. Breeding Policy for sheep & goat

For Sheep & Goat, the focus of the policy would be on reproductive efficiency, quality & quantity of wool and
meat, body weight, etc. A specific approach would be formed after due research for improving the quality of
fine and coarse wool. The focus would also be on producing and distributing quality indigenous breeds that can
survive in any climatic conditions. The policy also encourages artificial insemination. Furthermore, the policy
would also consider the cross-breeding of high-yielding breeds of goats and sheep to increase the production of
milk, meat, and wool.

2.5. Breeding Policy for Pigs

For Pigs, the focus would be on quality of meat, utilization of low-cost feed, prolificacy, etc. The policy would
attempt to conserve the indigenous breeds, cross-breeding for high-yield, disease-resistant breeds, etc.

2.6. Breeding for Equines

The breeding of horses, monkeys, and mules would be used to produce high-quality draft power and sports
purposes. The policy would also consider cross-breeding and indigenous breeding wherever required.

3. LIVESTOCK RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

The R&D forms the most important aspect of any sector as innovations and development are necessary with
changing times. It is also necessary as this sector is one of the most important reasons behind the climate
change calling for sustainable practices. In this context, the policy aims to take the following measures,

3.1. RESEARCH MANAGEMENT FOR FARMER-CENTRIC SOLUTIONS

The policy aligns itself with the issue directly impacting farmers thereby acting as a roadblock to the
development and expansion of the livestock sector in the country.

This would include facilitating the co-operation and collaboration of all stakeholders like industry, researchers,
customer, serving as a important way to effectively address the issues in the business of animal husbandry.

3.2. The areas in this sector for research and innovation would include livestock genetics, therapeutics,
disease prevention, breeding, livestock product diversification, greenhouse gas emissions, etc.
3.3. It would also focus on the convergence and coordination of various institutions like state agricultural
and veterinary universities, the private sector, and ICAR. This would lead to optimum utilization of
research resources and efforts. It also incentivizes states to have coordination committees for the state
level.
 4. LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION

The animal husbandry sector produces various goods including needs like eggs, meat, milk, wool, etc. This
policy focuses on some of the products that could contribute most to the economy. The policy gives strategy to
increase the production of such goods in the economy thereby aiding in the growth of the sector.

4.1. Milk

The policy attempts to increase the level of milk production through various types of breeding like a cross,
selective breeding, genetic improvement, conversion of unproductive animals into productive ones, disease
control, increasing the availability of feed and fodders, increasing healthcare services, and also by improving
the infrastructure supporting the production of milk. The policy also attempts to address the problem of
infertility by mixing the specific mineral mixture with the food provided to the animals.

4.2. Wool & Meat

The policy would focus on the crucial factors that aid in the higher production of meat like the weight of the
carcass, poliferacy, breeding strategies, mortality rate, etc. The farmer would be encouraged to become part of
co-operatives for better access to such inputs and marketing strategies for higher production and sale of meat
and wool. The policy also brings a national program for nationwide screening of stocks for breeding thereby
aiding in increasing the production levels.

4.3. Egg & Poultry

The poultry sector contributes to 30-35% of eggs which is important for the nutritional security and livelihood
of the poor people. However, the sector faces some glaring issues. In this context, the policy focuses on
providing financial assistance, awareness of bio-security measures, scientific advice, access to technology, etc.

STAKEHOLDERS:

The policy considering its goals & and objectives has identified the following key stakeholders in the broader
framework unveiled by it for the livestock & and animal husbandry sector:

CENTRAL GOVERNMENT

The central government is the most important stakeholder as it frames the policy for the economy of the country
which affects every sector. Furthermore, even though the livestock and animal husbandry issue falls outside its
scope, it has unveiled the broader framework through this policy to support states in this domain.

STATE GOVERNMENT

The state government is a stakeholder because the issue of animal husbandry is mentioned within the state list.
The implementation is a key factor for the success of any policy which is at the hands of the state government.
The state government in line with national policy can frame its policy according to prevailing circumstances
and the situation of the state.

FARMERS

Farmers are the stakeholder because they are one of the main contributors to the production of livestock. The
policy directly impacts their economic position, and livelihood thereby requiring their consideration and
involvement.

ANIMAL HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS

As Policy deals with livestock i.e. animals, the health of livestock would be the deciding factor for the
achievement of any outcome. Hence, animal healthcare professionals have an important role to play in the
overall framework.

CONSUMERS

The consumers are the ones who are at the receiving end of the policy. The concerns regarding the ethical
treatment of animals, food safety, etc. directly affect the consumers making them important stakeholders in this
framework.

OTHER STAKEHOLDERS:

In light of the policy touching on issues like the production level of livestock, breeding, research, etc., some
other stakeholders in the policy are SHGs, Agribusiness, livestock breeders, research and scientists etc.

EVALUATION & MONITORING

RESEARCH & INNOVATION

FUNDING