India is stepping up its efforts to combat future pandemics by investing heavily in animal health security. The government has secured a $25 million grant from the Pandemic Fund, a global initiative dedicated to helping low- and middle-income countries prepare for potential outbreaks. This funding will be used to bolster disease surveillance, expand laboratory networks, and improve livestock livelihoods across the country.
The initiative, launched on Friday, emphasizes the importance of a ‘One Health’ approach, recognizing the interconnectedness of human and animal health. The project complements India’s existing National One Health Mission, which aims to mitigate zoonotic disease threats across 12 Indian states.
Animal diseases have the potential to severely impact the livestock industry, a critical source of income for millions of Indian farmers and a vital component of food security. Healthy livestock ensures a reliable supply of meat and other animal products, safeguarding the population’s food security.
“We need to create awareness of disease control measures and how to treat the illness of animals, and there is a shortage of veterinary workforce, which is very critical,” said Amitabh Kant, former CEO of the NITI Aayog and India’s G20 Sherpa.
The government plans to leverage the $25 million grant to secure an additional $259 million in co-financing and $82 million in co-investment. These funds will be used to strengthen institutional capacities, improve risk communication, and establish a robust surveillance system.
To gain a comprehensive understanding of the country’s livestock population, India is also conducting the 21st Livestock Census, a massive undertaking covering 280 million households and non-household enterprises across the nation. The census, which began in 1919 and has been conducted every five years since, will provide valuable data to guide future policies and programs aimed at improving the livestock sector and its contribution to the economy.
According to the 20th Livestock Census, India boasts the world’s second-largest livestock population, with 536.76 million farm animals. The country is the largest producer of buffalo meat and the second-largest producer of goat meat. It is also the world’s largest milk producer, with 22% of global production.
The animal husbandry and dairying sector contributes nearly 6% to the Indian economy and about 30% to the gross value added of agriculture. This significant contribution underscores the critical importance of animal health and the need for robust policies to ensure the sector’s continued success.