On the eve of International Women’s Day, over 1 lakh women livestock farmers received valuable information about zoonotic diseases. The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, shared this update on Saturday.
Through a virtual session, experts and veterinarians educated women farmers on clean milk production and the importance of ethnoveterinary medicines in preventing diseases. This initiative aims to empower women with knowledge to improve animal health and safety in their communities.
Women’s Role in Dairy Farming & Disease Prevention
“Women are the backbone of Dairy Cooperative Societies (DCS),” said Alka Upadhyaya, Secretary of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, during a virtual session.
She praised the dedication of women dairy farmers who have successfully organized themselves through Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), Community Linked Farmers (CLFs), and Self-Help Groups (SHGs), especially in areas without Dairy Cooperative Societies.
Upadhyaya encouraged women in the dairy sector to take advantage of government schemes, such as those for goat and sheep rearing, which offer good returns at low costs.
Highlighting lessons from the Covid pandemic, she stressed the importance of preventing zoonotic diseases to reduce animal-to-human infections and minimize productivity losses.
The virtual session saw participation from women across 21 states and union territories. Additionally, around 2,050 awareness camps were conducted by Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs).
Varsha Joshi, Additional Secretary at DAHD, emphasized the connection between animal husbandry and public health. She urged women farmers to adopt hygienic and sustainable practices, focusing on clean milk production and biosecurity measures to prevent disease transmission.
Meanwhile, the Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, recently approved the revision of the Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP) with a budget of ₹3,880 crore.
This initiative includes the National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP) and Pashu Aushadhi, aimed at improving livestock health and productivity. It will help prevent diseases such as Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), Brucellosis, Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF), and Lumpy Skin Disease, ensuring better outcomes for farmers and the dairy industry.
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