India Teams Up with UNDP to Enhance Livestock Vaccine Distribution

New Delhi, May 20 - In a significant move towards modernizing agriculture and livestock management, the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has entered into a collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). This partnership, formalized through a memorandum of understanding (MoU), is set to revolutionize the way livestock vaccines are managed across India by digitizing the supply chain and monitoring the cold chain management process.

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The initiative aims to leverage advanced technology, including artificial intelligence (AI), to ensure real-time monitoring of vaccine storage temperatures and stocks. This digital transformation is expected to address the disparities in vaccine supply across India's extensive network of livestock farms. Alka Upadhyay, Secretary of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), highlighted the importance of this project in ensuring equitable distribution of vaccines.

The implementation of this project will be facilitated through the Animal Vaccine Intelligence Network (AVIN), developed by the UNDP. Caitlin Wiesen, UNDP's resident representative in India, emphasized that this initiative would play a crucial role in strengthening animal health. It aims to mitigate risks at the human-animal-environment interface, especially considering the increasing vulnerability of livestock to zoonotic diseases and climate change impacts.

India boasts a livestock population nearing 140 crore, with the DAHD planning to vaccinate approximately 70 crore animals against foot-and-mouth disease this year alone. The budget allocated for this vaccination drive is around Rs 900 crore. Sarita Chouhan, a joint secretary at the DAHD, mentioned that real-time monitoring of the country's vast cold chain network is vital for ensuring the delivery of quality vaccines at optimal temperatures nationwide.

Beyond cold chain digitization, the MoU also encompasses technical assistance in various areas such as livestock rearing practices, insurance planning, and communication strategies. These components are integral to the DAHD's outreach programmes, aiming to enhance overall livestock management and care practices across India.

This collaboration between the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and UNDP marks a pivotal step towards integrating technology into traditional farming practices. By doing so, it not only aims to improve animal health and welfare but also contributes significantly to safeguarding public health against potential zoonotic threats.