Animals and animal products are critical components of the country’s development in terms of food security, nutrition, and overall sustainability.
The country’s total livestock population is 535.78 million, a palpable increase of 4.6 per cent from the 2012 Livestock Census. In 2019, the total bovine population was recorded at 302.79 million, 1.0 per cent increase from the previous census.
India boasts the world’s largest cattle population and produces the most milk, yet per-animal productivity remains low. Low productivity can be caused by multiple factors, the most important being animal health, which has serious bearing on productivity.
Zoonotic illnesses have evolved as worldwide health hazards due to the intricate interactions among humans, animals, and the environment. Furthermore, food-borne infections and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) have increased the strain on the country’s health system and economy.
Given the re-emergence of old diseases as well as the emergence of new diseases, a call for comprehensive national animal health strategy is essential. As animals are reservoirs of various developing diseases, disease surveillance in animals has the added benefit of protecting humans through early diagnosis. Animal health issue is a pressing concern for India.
To address animal health issues and scaling up government efforts across the states India’s animal health industry has to be future ready.
Considering the significance of animal health towards the broader objective of the country’s food and nutrition security, rural incomes and prosperity and overall economic development, Indian Chamber of Food and Agriculture (ICFA) is hosting the 1st India Animal Health Summit 2022 at NASC Complex, New Delhi.
The summit will explore the role and contribution of states in animal health sector, as well as new issues and opportunities, and to help them adopt a holistic approach for animal health management. Moreover, the summit will provide a platform for the industry, institution, states and other key stakeholders to deliberate upon policy and regulatory ecosystem, business and markets, technology and innovations, investments and startups, production and delivery system, digital technologies and emerging trends nationally and globally.
The Summit shall also deliberate on “One Health” and the significance of animal health management for long-term sustainability of the country.
