National Livestock Mission (NLM)

The National Livestock Mission (NLM) has commenced from 2014-15. The Mission is designed to cover all the activities required

• to ensure quantitative and qualitative improvement in livestock production systems and
• capacity building of all stakeholders.

The Mission will cover everything germane to improvement of livestock productivity and support projects and initiatives required for that purpose subject.

• This Mission is formulated with the objective of
  • sustainable development of livestock sector,
  • focusing on improving availability of quality feed and fodder.
• NLM is implemented in all States including Sikkim.

NLM has 4 submissions as follows:

The Sub-Mission on Fodder and Feed Development will address the problems of scarcity of animal feed resources, in order to give a push to the livestock sector making it a competitive enterprise for India, and also to harness its export potential. The major objective is to reduce the deficit to nil.

Under Sub-Mission on Livestock Development, there are provisions for productivity enhancement, entrepreneurship development and employment generation (bankable projects), strengthening of infrastructure of state farms with respect to modernization, automation and biosecurity, conservation of threatened breeds, minor livestock development, rural slaughter houses, fallen animals and livestock insurance.

Sub-Mission on Pig Development in North-Eastern Region: There has been persistent demand from the North Eastern States seeking support for all round development of piggery in the region. For the first time, under NLM a Sub-Mission on Pig Development in North-Eastern Region is provided wherein Government of India would support the State Piggery Farms, and importation of germplasm so that eventually the masses get the benefit as it is linked to livelihood and contributes in providing protein-rich food in 8 States of the NER.

Sub-Mission on Skill Development, Technology Transfer and Extension: The extension machinery at field level for livestock activities is very weak. As a result, farmers are not able to adopt the technologies developed by research institutions. The emergence of new technologies and practices require linkages between stakeholders and this sub-mission will enable a wider outreach to the farmers.All the States, including NER States may avail the benefits of the multiple components and the flexibility of choosing them under NLM for a sustainable livestock development.

 

• Sub-Mission under NLM on Fodder and Feed Development will try to address the problems of scarcity of animal feed resources, in order to give a push to the livestock sector making it a economically viable enterprise for India, and also to harness its export potential. 
• The biggest impediment to growth of dairy and livestock productivity is the large-scale prevalence of animal diseases like FMD, PPR, Brucellosis, Avian Influenza etc, which adversely affect the productivity. Taking into account the fact that effective control of a number of animal diseases requires national strategy; the existing scheme of livestock health has been strengthened.

Foot and Mouth Disease Control Programme (FMD-CP) which was under implementation in 221 districts since August, 2010, was extended to all the remaining districts of Uttar Pradesh and all the districts of Rajasthan during 2013-14 thus covering 313 districts as of now.

• • It has been decided that FMD-CP will be extended to whole of India during 12th Plan subject to availability of funds and vaccine. 

Milk Production:-

• Increase in milk production has to be achieved by increasing productivity of the milch animals rather than increase in the number of animals.
• In order to encourage farmers to produce more milk, effective system of milk collection has to be ensured so that the farmer is assured of selling his produce at a profitable price which can be ensured by putting in place an effective procurement systems connecting milk producers. 
•  Steps are needed to reduce wastage of milk by expanding the cold chain infrastructure in the rural areas to collect and preserve milk till such time it is collected for sale or taken for processing.
• Systematic planning has to be done for location of bulk milk coolers so that farmers from neighbouring villages can easily access them.

Rashtriya Gokul Mission has been initiated with the aims to conserve and develop Indigenous Breeds in a focused and scientific manner.

• Rashtriya Gokul Mission is a focused project under National Programme for Bovine Breeding and Dairy Development, with an outlay of Rs.500 crore during the 12th Five Year Plan.
• During 2014-15, Rs.150.00 crore has been allocated for development, preservation and conservation of indigenous breeds. 

Government is also proposing to establish “Rashtriya Kamdhenu Breeding Centre” for development, conservation and preservation of Indigenous Breeds as a Centre of Excellence to develop and conserve Indigenous Breeds (37 Cattle and 13 Buffaloes) in a holistic and scientific manner with the aim of enhancing their productivity and upgrading genetic merit. 

As concerned with fisheries production, with a production of 9.58 million tonnes in 2013-14, India has maintained its position as a second largest producer of fish in the world contributing 5.7 percent of the total fish production globally. 

• Keeping this in view, the Government is now focusing on Blue revolution in the sector.
• Blue revolution means an intensive and sustainable growth in fish production providing for food and nutritional security, employment and improved livelihood.