India’s Sustainable Livestock Transformation Initiatives

India has emerged as a global leader in sustainable livestock development. At the 2nd Global Conference on Sustainable Livestock Transformation held by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome in 2025, India showcased its innovative and inclusive approaches. Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh brought into light India’s achievements and future plans. The country’s livestock sector plays a vital role in rural livelihoods, food security, and economic growth.

India’s Livestock Sector Growth and Economic Impact

India’s livestock sector has recorded a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.77% in recent years. It contributes 31% to agricultural Gross Value Added (GVA) and 5.5% to the national economy. India is the world’s largest milk producer, accounting for nearly 25% of global output with 239 million tonnes annually. It is also the second-largest egg producer and a leading exporter of buffalo meat. This growth supports nearly two-thirds of rural households and millions of small and marginal farmers.

Farmer-Centric and Inclusive Policies

India’s success stems from people-focused policies and innovations. The Rashtriya Gokul Mission conserves indigenous cattle and improves genetic diversity, benefiting over 92 million animals and 56 million farmers. The National Digital Livestock Mission (Bharat Pashudhan) has created a digital ID system for 353 million animals and 94 million livestock owners. This enables traceability and early disease detection, improving product safety.

Health and Disease Control Measures

India runs the world’s largest livestock vaccination programme, administering more than 1.2 billion doses annually. It is a global hub for vaccine production and exports. The country supports the One Health approach, linking human, animal, and environmental health. India backs global efforts against antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and has a National Action Plan aligned with the Global Action Plan. Pandemic preparedness has been strengthened through a USD 25 million grant from the G20 Pandemic Fund.

Infrastructure and Capacity Building

The USD 3.5 billion Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund supports investments in dairy, breeding, feed plants, and meat processing. At the grassroots, the MAITRIs programme trains local resource persons to deliver breeding services in remote areas. The A-HELP initiative empowers rural women in animal health delivery, reflecting the role women play in the dairy sector, which employs over 70% women workers.

Global Cooperation and Policy Advocacy

India values its 80-year partnership with FAO and holds the First Vice Chair position in the FAO’s Sub-Committee on Livestock. It advocates for flexible frameworks that respect national priorities in sustainable livestock transformation. India co-sponsored the resolution for the International Day of Milk with Ireland, endorsed by the 44th FAO Conference, and seeks its adoption by the United Nations General Assembly. The country calls for stable funding, technology transfer, and capacity building to support developing nations.