India Launches Pioneering 21st Livestock Census and Pandemic Fund Project

Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh announced the commencement of the 21st Livestock Census, allocating Rs 200 crore for its execution until February 2025. Aiming for data-driven policy-making, it will involve around 1 lakh officials recording data on livestock and poultry breeds. The USD 25 million 'Pandemic Fund Project' was also introduced for enhancing animal health security.

Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh on Friday initiated the 21st Livestock Census, intended to run till February next year with a budget of Rs 200 crore, asserting that precise data will aid the government in crafting policies for animal health security and sectoral growth.

Singh, heading Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying, also revealed a USD 25 million 'Pandemic Fund Project' to fortify India's pandemic preparedness through enhanced animal health security.

The census, crucial for policy-making, will be conducted by around 1 lakh field officials, capturing data on 219 indigenous breeds of livestock and poultry, and leveraging mobile technology for improved data collection.

(With inputs from agencies.)