The Government of Gujarat has launched an intensive statewide vaccination campaign to control the spread of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). The drive is being implemented under the National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP) and aims to safeguard livestock health and prevent economic losses to farmers.
Key Highlights
| Aspect | Details |
| State | Gujarat |
| Disease Targeted | Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) |
| Programme | National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP) |
| Campaign Duration | 1 March to 15 April |
| Frequency | Twice annually (March & September) |
| Target | Livestock (cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats) |
About the Vaccination Drive
- Statewide campaign covering livestock across Gujarat
- Objective:
- Prevent spread of FMD
- Protect livestock productivity
- Reduce financial losses for farmers
- Key features:
- Ear-tagging of animals for identification
- Data entry into INAPH portal
- Monitoring of: Vaccination coverage and Animal health
INAPH (Information Network for Animal Productivity and Health)– Digital Monitoring System
| Feature | Details |
| Type | Digital livestock database platform |
| Purpose | Track animal health and vaccination |
| Functions | Identification, monitoring, productivity tracking |
| Benefit | Ensures transparency and coverage of vaccination |
About Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD)
- A highly contagious viral disease affecting livestock
Affected Animals
- Cloven-hoofed animals:
- Cattle
- Buffaloes
- Sheep
- Goats
Symptoms
| Symptom | Impact |
| Fever | Weakness in animals |
| Mouth ulcers | Difficulty in feeding |
| Excessive salivation | Visible infection sign |
| Drop in milk production | Economic loss |
Impact on Economy
- Leads to:
- Reduced milk yield
- Lower productivity
- Causes: Significant financial losses to dairy farmers
- Affects: Dairy and livestock sector
Preventive Measures
- Vaccination twice a year:
- March
- September
- Helps in:
- Disease control
- Protecting livestock health
- Ensuring stable farmer income
Importance of Disease Control in Livestock
- Ensures:
- Food security
- Nutritional security
- Supports: Export potential of dairy products
- Reduces: Economic shocks to farmers
Significance of the Drive
- Strengthens: Animal health infrastructure
- Supports: Dairy sector growth
- Enhances: Farmer income security
- Promotes: Use of digital platforms in livestock management
Field-Level Impact
- Positive response from farmers
- Regular visits by veterinary teams for vaccination
- Increased awareness regarding:
- Animal health
- Disease prevention
National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP)
| Feature | Details |
| Launched | 2019 |
| Ministry | Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying |
| Target Diseases | Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), Brucellosis |
| Objective | Eradicate FMD and control livestock diseases |
Foot and Mouth Disease
- Caused by: Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus (FMDV)
- Type: RNA virus (Picornaviridae family)
- Transmission:
- Direct contact
- Airborne spread
- Contaminated surfaces
Livestock Sector in India
- India is the largest milk producer in the world
- Dairy sector contributes significantly to:
- Rural economy
- Farmer income
Animal Identification (Ear Tagging)
- Provides: Unique ID to each animal
- Helps in:
- Disease tracking
- Vaccination monitoring
- Breeding management