Livestock census begins in Tripura

Agartala: The 21st Livestock Census, spanning four months, commenced in Tripura on Saturday, aligning with the nationwide door-to-door survey on livestock, as stated by Dr Neeraj Kumar Chanchal, director of animal resource development department. The census, launched by Union minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh, is set to continue until Feb next year with a budget allocation of Rs 200 crore.
The primary objective of the census is to gather extensive data on various livestock species, facilitating policy formulation for animal health security and sector growth. The previous Livestock Census, conducted in 2019, covered 16 animal species. Dr Chanchal said, “This will be the first livestock census in the country in which the data of the livestock held by pastoralists will be available independently. The census will also make available information on ‘gender of the person majorly involved in livestock rearing’.”
Dr Chanchal highlighted the significant contribution of the livestock sector to the social and economic upliftment of society. He noted the remarkable growth witnessed in the sector over the past nine years, attributed to the implementation of various departmental schemes. The National Animal Disease Control Program (NADCP) aims to control and eradicate Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Brucellosis from the country, with 90.87 crore FMD vaccines and 4.23 crore Brucellosis vaccines administered thus far. The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying is also planning the establishment of FMD Disease Free Zones in nine states.
Furthermore, a new initiative called the Pandemic Fund has been introduced to enhance disease surveillance, including genomic and environmental surveillance for early warning, laboratory infrastructure development, and cross-border collaboration.