
Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh highlights farmer-centric livestock model, $3.5 billion fund, and CAGR of 12.77% at FAO conference.
Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, addressed the 2nd Global Conference on Sustainable Livestock Transformation at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Rome, positioning India as a global leader in the sector. India now proudly holds the distinction of being the world’s largest producer of milk, contributing nearly 25% of global output with an annual production of 239 million tonnes. Furthermore, India is the second-largest producer of eggs and a leading exporter of buffalo meat, cementing its influence on international dairy economics and the broader livestock market.
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The success of India‘s livestock sector is attributed to a resilient, farmer-centric model driven by transformative and inclusive policies. This sector has recently recorded an impressive Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 12.77%, contributing 31% to agricultural Gross Value Added (GVA) and 5.5% to the national economy. The livestock sector provides sustainable livelihoods to nearly two-thirds of rural households, including millions of small and marginal farmers, with a strong emphasis on empowering rural women, who comprise over 70% of the dairy workforce.
Key initiatives are driving this growth and resilience. The Rashtriya Gokul Mission is focused on conserving indigenous cattle breeds, benefiting over 92 million animals and supporting more than 56 million farmers. In animal health, India operates the world’s largest livestock vaccination program, administering over 1.2 billion doses annually, and is a global hub for high-quality vaccine production. This focus on animal health security is vital for safeguarding the international dairy supply chain.
Technological and financial investments are also central to the strategy. Through the National Digital Livestock Mission – Bharat Pashudhan, India has created a digital ID system to enhance traceability and early disease detection, having registered over 353 million animals. Financially, the USD 3.5 billion Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund supports critical investments in dairy, breeding, feed plants, and meat processing, driving agribusiness modernization and capacity building.
The Union Minister also emphasized India’s commitment to global cooperation and the One Health approach, supporting the Resolution on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and securing a USD 25 million grant from the G20 Pandemic Fund to boost animal health security systems. The Minister stressed that global plans for sustainable livestock must act as a guiding framework, allowing for the national priorities and circumstances of developing countries, and called for stable funding and technology transfer to facilitate a phased, inclusive transition.
Source: Consult the official press release on India‘s dairy and livestock leadership from the Press Information Bureau (PIB).
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