Sustainable Livestock Transformation Initiatives in India

India has established itself as the sustainable livestock development powerhouse in the world. During the 2nd Global Conference on Sustainable Livestock Transformation at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome in 2025, India presented its strategies that have been innovative and inclusive. Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh demonstrated the achievements of the country and the plans of the future. He stressed the livestock industry as the key to rural livelihoods, food security, and economic development.

Growth and Economic Role

The livestock industry in India has recorded a good compound annual growth rate of 12.77 in recent years. It currently adds up to 31 percent to the agricultural Gross Value Added (GVA) and 5.5 percent to the economy of the entire country. India is the largest milk producer in the world producing approximately a quarter of the world supply of 239 million tonnes per year. It also produces eggs in the second-largest quantity and is a major exporter of buffalo meat. The sector serves close to two-thirds of rural households, particularly small and marginal farmers.

Farmer-Focused Policies

Inclusive and farmer-oriented policies have led to the development of the country. The Rashtriya Gokul Mission strives to protect native cattle breeds as well as to increase genetic diversity, benefiting more than 92 million animals and 56 million farmers. Likewise, the National Digital Livestock Mission (Bharat Pashudhan) has launched a digital identity system on 353 million animals and 94 million livestock owners, which can track the origin of goods, enhance the likelihood of detecting diseases, and provide safer food products.

Health and Disease Management.

India is also top in livestock health programs. It runs the largest immunisation programme in the world with more than 1.2 billion vaccine doses a year. India is a major source of export in the production of vaccines in the world. The government encourages One Health approach, which links human, animal and environmental health. A National Action Plan to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is in line with international best practices. An additional USD 25 million grant provided by the G20 Pandemic Fund has also strengthened pandemic preparedness.

Infrastructure and World Cooperation.

India is making significant investments in dairy, feed plant, meat processing, and breeding facilities through the USD 3.5 billion Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund. Programs such as MAITRI and A-HELP give strength to local workers and women in animal care which are grassroots initiatives. On the international level, India has always maintained a long term partnership with FAO; it co-sponsored the resolution of the International Day of Milk and encouraged the whole world to cooperate in terms of technology, funding, and capacity building.