Livestock Health and Disease Control Program (LHDCP) – Scheme Overview

Introduction

The Livestock Health and Disease Control Program (LHDCP) is a vital initiative in India that focuses on safeguarding the health of the country’s large livestock population. With one of the largest livestock populations in the world, maintaining their health is crucial not only for the well-being of the animals but also for India’s economy, food security, and the livelihoods of millions of animal farmers.

The program emphasizes on disease prevention, control, and management, contributing significantly to the productivity and efficiency of the animal husbandry sector. Implemented by the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD), under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India, the LHDCP, a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) aims to mitigate risks to animal health through vaccination, enhanced veterinary services, improved disease surveillance, and better veterinary infrastructure.

Scheme Objectives

The key objectives of the LHDCP scheme are as below:

• To control and eradicate Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) by 2030
• To control Bovine Brucellosis with Vaccination
• To control and eradicate Peste des Petits Ruminant (PPR)by 2030
• To control Classical Swine Fever (CSF) by vaccination
• To provide veterinary services at the farmers’ doorstep through Mobile Veterinary Units (MVUs)
• To control economically important, zoonotic, exotic and emergent diseases by assisting States/UTs as per their priorities under Assistance to States for Control of Animal Diseases (ASCAD)
• To facilitate availability of Generic Veterinary Medicines including Ethno-Veterinary Medicines at affordable price in rural areas through PM – Kisan Samriddhi Kendras (PM-KSKs) and Cooperative Societies

Components of the Scheme

LHDCP comprises three major components, each targeting specific aspects of livestock health and disease control:

1. National Animal Disease Control Program (NADCP) 

NADCP aims to control and subsequently eradicate Foot & Mouth Disease (FMD) in cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goat and pigs and also for control of Bovine Brucellosis, with vaccination. The program implements large-scale vaccination drives to develop herd immunity and reduce disease incidence.

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

LH&DC aims to improve the animal health sector by control of economically important, zoonotic, exotic and emergent diseases by prophylactic vaccination, capacity building, disease surveillance and strengthening of veterinary infrastructure. LH&DC consists of three sub-components, as below:

(i) Critical Animal Disease Control Program (CADCP) 

Critical Animal Disease Control Program (CADCP) is aimed to control and eradicate Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) disease in sheep and goats and control Classical Swine Fever (CSF) disease in pigs, with vaccination.

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

ESVHD-MVU is envisaged for delivery of veterinary services at the farmers’ doorstep through 1962 Toll-free No.

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

Under ASCAD financial assistance is provided to States & UTs for controlling zoonotic, exotic, emergent, and economically important diseases other than those under NADCP and CADCP. This includes strengthening of diagnostic labs, surveillance, outbreak containment, and compensation to farmers for culling affected animals.

3. Pashu Aushadhi 

The Pashu Aushadhi component of LHDCP is incorporated to facilitate availability of affordable Generic Veterinary Medicines including Ethno-Veterinary Medicines (EVM) through PM – Kisan Samriddhi Kendras (PM-KSKs) and Cooperative Societies. This component will be implemented in association with Department of Pharmaceuticals and Ministry of Cooperatives.

Expected Outcomes 

The implementation of LHDCP is expected to yield significant benefits, listed as below:

Disease Control and Eradication: Significant reduction and eventual eradication of major livestock diseases like FMD, PPR, Brucellosis, and CSF.

Creation of Disease-Free Zones: Establishment of FMD-free zones/states through rigorous vaccination and surveillance.

Improved Veterinary Services: Enhanced veterinary outreach and services through MVUs, enabling timely disease detection and treatment.

Reduced Zoonotic Risks: Lowered risk of zoonotic disease transmission from animals to humans, contributing to improved public health.

Employment Generation: Creation of rural jobs via expanded vaccination programs, veterinary services, and allied activities.

Affordable Medicine Access: Availability of quality veterinary medicines at affordable prices i.e. Generic Veterinary Medicines including Ethno-Veterinary Medicines for livestock farmers

The Livestock Health and Disease Control Program is a cornerstone initiative supporting India’s vast livestock sector. By focusing on disease prevention, control, and management, along with strengthening veterinary infrastructure and services, the program aims to boost livestock productivity, safeguard animal and public health, and uplift rural livelihoods.