Context: The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying has issued updated operational guidelines (version 2.0) for the National Livestock Mission (NLM).
| What are the new operational guidelines 2.0 for NLM? The guidelines prioritize fostering entrepreneurship, cluster-based growth, and sustainable practices within the livestock industry. They highlight financial support through initiatives such as the Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF), along with capacity building and the adoption of modern technologies. The introduction of the NLM-EDP Dashboard enables real-time tracking and ensures transparency. Special emphasis is placed on poultry, dairy, and marginalized communities to promote inclusive development. |
About National Livestock Mission (NLM): Summary Table
| Details | Description |
| About | – Initiated in 2014-15, revamped in 2021-22 under the White Revolution – Rashtriya Pashudhan Vikas Yojana. – Aims to improve the quantity and quality of livestock production while encouraging entrepreneurship. – Overseen by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying. |
| Structural Mandate and Implementation | – Includes 3 sub-missions: (1) Breed Improvement of Livestock and Poultry. (2) Feed and Fodder Development. (3) Innovation and Extension. – Promotes entrepreneurship through financial incentives for individuals, FPOs, SHGs, cooperatives, and startups. – Encompasses 10 activities like fodder cultivation and livestock insurance, focusing on sustainability and stakeholder engagement. |
| Features | – Entrepreneurship Support: 50% subsidy (up to ₹50 lakh) for conserving horses, donkeys, mules, and camels. – Fodder Seed Processing: Private entities and cooperatives eligible for a 50% subsidy for infrastructure development. – Fodder Cultivation: Assistance to states for growing fodder on degraded and non-arable land. – Livestock Insurance: Lower farmer premiums (15%), increased coverage of animals, and improved Centre-State funding (60:40 or 90:10). |
What is the Status of Livestock Sector in India?
- The livestock sector experienced a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 7.9% from 2014-15 to 2020-21.
- Its contribution to Agricultural GDP rose from 24.3% in 2014-15 to 30.1% in 2020-21.
- It accounted for 4.35% of the national GDP in the fiscal year 2022-23.
- The total livestock population stands at approximately 536.76 million animals.
- The livestock population has grown by 4.8% since 2012.
Global Livestock Ownership Highlights:
- 12.50% of the world’s cattle population.
- 56.70% of the world’s buffalo population.
- The world’s second-largest poultry market.
Key Schemes and Programs:
- Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM): Launched in December 2014 to promote breed development.
- National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP): Focused on controlling Foot & Mouth Disease and Brucellosis.
- Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF): Approved 116 projects with a total value of INR 3,731.4 crore.
Places in news: Kerch Strait
Context: Two Russian vessels released 3,350 tonnes of low-quality fuel into the Kerch Strait in Crimea, creating an environmental risk to the biodiversity-rich area.
About the Kerch Strait
- The Kerch Strait is a narrow, strategically important waterway linking the Black Sea with the Sea of Azov.
- It acts as a natural maritime route between the Crimean Peninsula and mainland Russia.
- Spanning about 41 kilometers in length and varying in width from 4 to 15 kilometers, the strait includes the Kerch-Yenikalsky canal, a vital route for larger ships traveling between the Black and Azov Seas.
- Port facilities at Kavkaz and Kerch are key transportation hubs, supporting significant cargo and passenger traffic.
Geopolitical Importance
- Since Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014, the Kerch Strait has become a center of international controversy.
- The completion of the Crimean Bridge in 2018 established a direct land link between Russian territory and Crimea.
