In light of the challenges posed by livestock diseases, discuss the steps taken by the government to address them.

Recently, the country has witnessed rising cases of animal bacterial and viral diseases causing death, damage, loss of productivity. Ex: Lumpy skin disease Challenges posed by livestock disease: i Decreased yield - Disease reduce output of milk, meat and products like eggs ii Hinders economic growth - Livestock contributes to 20/+ in agricultural GDP. Damages, if any reduces output iii Zoonotic disease - With the surge in viral diseases, the spread has reached to humans eg COVID19 & Bats iv Loss of livelihood - Given farmers depend on livestock for income, the loss of livestock

Loss of livelihood - Farmers depend on livestock for income, the loss of livestock Steps taken by govt to address: i Immunization Programme - the govt has launched for safe, secure productive cattle ii National Livestock Mission - driven by the holistic development of cattle iii One Health Approach - taking all stakeholders - humans, animals, environment together iv Animal Husbandry Infrastructure development programme providing facilities to develop advanced stables, fodder house etc India transformed the dairy sector in 1980's. Today, it is the largest milk producing country in world. Similar intervention need to be extended to other aspect, to boost the livestock sector in India