Pune: Ground-Level Reality Check for Central Livestock Schemes Begins in Maharashtra

Pune, 19th April 2025: A team of National Level Monitors (NLMs) is currently on a state-wide visit to Maharashtra to evaluate the implementation and impact of centrally sponsored schemes under the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), Government of India. The review mission, which spans across Pune, Satara, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar districts from April 18 to 20, aims to provide an objective ground-level assessment of ongoing projects and infrastructure development in the livestock sector.

Livestock is a cornerstone of India’s agricultural economy, contributing not only to food security but also to rural employment, income generation, and exports. With rising demand for animal products such as milk, meat, eggs, and wool, the sector is under increasing pressure to innovate and expand. Addressing this challenge, the Government of India has rolled out several time-bound schemes to promote sustainable livestock development across the country.

These include:

• National Livestock Mission (NLM)
• Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM)
• National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD)
• Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LH&DCP)

While regular reporting and digital monitoring systems are already in place—such as monthly and quarterly progress reports, MIS dashboards, regional review meetings, and video conferencing sessions with states—the introduction of NLMs offers an independent and unbiased evaluation mechanism to assess field-level implementation and guide course corrections.

The Maharashtra monitoring team comprises respected veterinary science experts—Dr. Hari Mohan Saxena, Dr. Madhav Rao T, and Dr. Vinod Bhat—under the leadership of Mr. V.P. Singh, Director (Statistics), Government of India. Their visit will include inspections of infrastructure projects, interactions with implementing agencies and beneficiaries, and community consultations to gauge the real-world impact of schemes like disease control drives targeting Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), and Classical Swine Fever.

A briefing session was held on April 17 at Mantralaya in Mumbai, chaired by Mr. B. Venugopal Reddy, Additional Chief Secretary, Animal Husbandry Department, Government of Maharashtra. Also in attendance were Mr. V.P. Singh, Mr. Mukesh Sharma (Assistant Director, GoI), the three National Level Monitors, and nodal officers for all central schemes. Project Directors from DAHD participated virtually, while Dr. Pravinkumar Deore, Animal Husbandry Commissioner, Maharashtra, presented a comprehensive review of the schemes implemented in the state.

Following their district visits, the NLMs will conduct a debriefing session on April 21 at the State Headquarters, where they will submit their evaluation report to the government. The findings are expected to help refine existing schemes, highlight best practices, and guide the strategic expansion of livestock and dairy development across Maharashtra.