Agricultural credit target rises to 20 billion rupees; focus on health and disease control programme for livestock
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying received an allocation of 4,327.85 million rupees, an increase of 3,105.17 million rupees in the revised 2022-23 estimate
The livestock sector received a boost in the Union Budget 2023-24 announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1, 2023. Appropriations for the sector were increased by nearly 40 percent compared with revised estimates for fiscal year 2022-23 (FY).
The Ministry of Livestock and Dairy received funding of 4,327.85 million rupees, an increase from 3,105.17 million rupees in the revised estimates for 2022-23.
A significant portion of the total allocation went to the Animal Health and Disease Control Programme-2,349.71 million rupees. In the last three years, the country has been hit by two deadly livestock diseases – Lumpy Skin Disease and African Swine Fever.
Appropriations under this provision were increased by 69%. In FY2022-23, appropriations totaled 1,390.02 billion rupees.
The livestock sector also suffered from a severe feed crisis as farmers faced a shortage of dry fodder.
Funds allocated under the programme are used to complement state governments’ activities for sustainable animal health by providing centralised support for various vaccinations, skills development and the creation of veterinary infrastructure.
The provision also included grants to the Indian Veterinary Council and the State Veterinary Councils.
410 million rupees was provided for the National Livestock Mission, which serves the sustainable development of the livestock sector, particularly cattle, ruminants, and other small livestock.
Large allocations are essential to support the livestock sector’s growing contribution to economic growth. The sector grew at an average annual growth rate of 7.9 percent (at constant prices) through 2020-21 from 2014-15.
The agricultural credit target is increased to 20 lakh Crore rupees, with emphasis on livestock, dairy and fisheries.
The Ministry of Fisheries also recorded a 38.4% increase in allocations.
Sitharaman also announced the launch of a new sub-scheme of the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana with an investment target of 6,000 million rupees to enable further activities of fishermen, fish traders and micro and small enterprises, improve value chain efficiency and expand the market.
