Alka Upadhyaya, Secretary of the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD), and Himanshu Pathak, Secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) and Director General of the ICAR, have co-chaired a high-level meeting at the National Agricultural Science Centre (NASC) Complex to strengthen India’s livestock sector. This crucial session saw the participation of senior officials from both DAHD and ICAR.
During the meeting, Upadhyaya stressed the need for a comprehensive and integrated approach to improving animal productivity, ensuring the consistent availability of fodder, and enhancing vaccine coverage. She highlighted the critical role that collaboration between DAHD and ICAR plays in achieving these objectives, particularly in mitigating the impact of diseases on the livestock sector. Additionally, she emphasized the importance of reducing methane emissions from livestock enteric fermentation as part of ongoing efforts to decarbonize the sector.
Dr. Pathak echoed these sentiments, underlining the significance of collaboration between the two departments. He pointed out that this meeting marks a significant step towards developing a coordinated and holistic approach to addressing the key challenges facing the animal husbandry and dairying sectors.
The discussions at the meeting focused on various key areas, including the enhancement of livestock's genetic potential to boost productivity and resilience. The officials also deliberated on strategies to ensure a steady supply of high-quality fodder, which is essential for maintaining livestock health and productivity. Another critical area of focus was the development of effective vaccines, including new-generation vaccines aimed at combating emerging diseases. This, they noted, is vital for mitigating the impact of diseases on livestock.
Furthermore, the meeting highlighted the need for in-depth research into the economic impacts of diseases and other challenges within the livestock sector. Such research is crucial for informing policy decisions and intervention strategies. Strengthening surveillance systems to monitor and combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) was also highlighted as a key priority.
The meeting concluded with a firm commitment from both DAHD and ICAR to further strengthen their collaboration. The shared goal is to advance India’s livestock sector through innovative research, effective policy-making, and comprehensive action plans, ensuring the sector's sustainable growth and resilience in the years to come.
