APSC Legal Metrology: Revised Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (Note+MCQ)

In news

What is the main goal of the Revised Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP) for 2024-26?

(a) Offering direct financial assistance to livestock farmers for veterinary costs
(b) Establishing a nationwide digital system using blockchain to monitor livestock health
(c) Encouraging indigenous livestock breeds by restricting the use of imported genetic material
(d) Eliminating major livestock diseases through vaccination, surveillance, and medical intervention

Solution: D

Option d is correct – LHDCP aims to control and eradicate major livestock diseases like Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), Brucellosis, and Classical Swine Fever (CSF).

Option a is incorrect – LHDCP focuses on disease control, not direct cash transfers.

Option c is incorrect – Breed improvement is not a core focus of LHDCP; it falls under other schemes like Rashtriya Gokul Mission.

Option b is incorrect – While digital tracking exists under INAPH (Information Network for Animal Productivity and Health), blockchain-based tracking is not yet implemented.

About Revised Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP):

What is LHDCP?

A centrally sponsored scheme aimed at improving livestock health through vaccination, disease control, and veterinary infrastructure enhancement.
It ensures higher productivity, economic growth for farmers, and disease prevention in livestock.
Developed By: Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying.

Aim:

To prevent, control, and eradicate major livestock diseases through vaccination, surveillance, and veterinary services.
To improve veterinary healthcare accessibility via Mobile Veterinary Units (MVUs).
Diseases Covered:

Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), Brucellosis, Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), Classical Swine Fever (CSF), Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD), Anthrax, Rabies, and other livestock diseases.
Key Features:

National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP): Focuses on FMD and Brucellosis eradication through mass vaccination.
Critical Animal Disease Control Programme (CADCP): Targets PPR and CSF through 100% vaccination coverage.
Mobile Veterinary Units (MVUs): Doorstep veterinary care through customized vehicles with diagnostic and treatment facilities.
Pashu Aushadhi Initiative: ₹75 crore allocated for providing affordable generic veterinary medicines.
Strengthening Veterinary Infrastructure: Upgrading veterinary hospitals, dispensaries, and diagnostic labs.
Surveillance & Disease Reporting: Strengthening real-time disease monitoring via the Information Network for Animal Productivity and Health (INAPH).
Public Awareness & Capacity Building: Training farmers and veterinarians on disease prevention and biosecurity measures.
Central-State Fund Sharing: 60:40 for states, 90:10 for Northeast & Himalayan states, 100% for UTs.