New Delhi, 5 August 2026: The Centre is running several major programmes to boost livestock rearing, increase milk production, improve animal health and create rural livelihoods, Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan Singh) told the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.
The minister said flagship schemes such as the National Livestock Mission (NLM), Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF), Rashtriya Gokul Mission and the Livestock Health & Disease Control Programme are being used to build infrastructure, improve animal breeding, control diseases, develop fodder and encourage entrepreneurship.
Focus on piggery in Assam
In Assam, the government is supporting modern pig breeding farms and pork processing units. Over the last three years, ₹4.98 crore in subsidy has been released for 50 livestock projects, including 23 pig breeding farms under the National Livestock Mission’s entrepreneurship programme. Another ₹1.44 crore has been given as interest subvention under AHIDF for eight projects, including one pig farm.
A new Pig Semen Collection and Processing Laboratory has been sanctioned at a cost of ₹1.80 crore to promote artificial insemination and better genetics. Nearly 10 lakh free Classical Swine Fever vaccinations have also been given in the state. The department has published guidelines on good pig farming practices to encourage scientific methods.
Dairy productivity rises sharply
India’s average milk yield per bovine animal has gone up from 1,648 kg per year in 2014-15 to 2,251 kg in 2024-25. Total milk production has risen 70 per cent in the same period — from 146 million metric tonnes to 248 million metric tonnes.
To tackle fodder shortages, the government has released ₹1,152.40 crore in the last five years for quality seed production, producing 1.6 lakh tonnes of fodder seed. Under the National Livestock Mission’s entrepreneurship programme, 204 fodder-related projects have been approved. AHIDF has supported 174 animal feed plants with investments of ₹3,602 crore.
The National Dairy Development Board has set up 100 dedicated Fodder-Plus Farmer Producer Organisations. ICAR’s Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute has developed high-yielding forage varieties, prepared state-specific plans and trained over 10 lakh farmers. Heatwave management guidelines have been issued to states, and indigenous cattle breeds that tolerate high temperatures are being promoted. Farmers can also get scientific advice through the 1962 Farmers App under Bharat Pashudhan.
Disease control and vaccination
Under the National Animal Disease Control Programme (part of the Livestock Health & Disease Control Programme), the Centre is providing 100 per cent funding for vaccination against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Brucellosis.
The minister said these combined efforts are aimed at making livestock farming more productive, disease-resistant and profitable for farmers across the country.
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