DAHD and ICAR advocate integrated strategies to boost livestock productivity

New Delhi: In a significant development for India’s livestock sector, Alka Upadhyaya, Secretary of the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD), and Himanshu Pathak, Secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE) and Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), co-chaired a high-level meeting at the National Agricultural Science Centre (NASC) Complex.

This session brought together senior officials from both DAHD and ICAR to address key challenges and opportunities in the sector.

Upadhyaya emphasized the need for a comprehensive and integrated approach to enhance animal productivity, ensure fodder availability, and improve vaccine coverage. She stressed the critical role of collaboration between DAHD and ICAR in achieving these objectives. Upadhyaya also highlighted the importance of addressing methane emissions from livestock enteric fermentation as part of broader decarbonization efforts.

Dr. Pathak underscored the significance of joint efforts between DAHD and ICAR, setting the stage for a coordinated strategy to tackle pressing issues in animal husbandry and dairying. The meeting focused on several pivotal areas, including enhancing the genetic potential of livestock to boost productivity and resilience, ensuring a reliable supply of high-quality fodder, and developing new-generation vaccines for emerging diseases.

Additionally, the meeting addressed the need for research on the economic impact of livestock diseases, strategies to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and strengthening surveillance systems. Both Upadhyaya and Pathak committed to deepening collaboration between their departments to drive innovative research, formulate effective policies, and implement comprehensive action plans for advancing the livestock sector.