National Livestock Mission (NLM)

National Livestock Mission (NLM) was launched by Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare in 2014 to promote sustainable development of livestock sector and improve availability of quality feed and fodder.

Lets discuss about the National Livestock Mission (NLM) in detail.

• Who implements National Livestock Mission?
• Objectives of National Livestock Mission
• 4 Sub-Missions of National Livestock Mission 
• Need of National livestock Mission
• Things done so far under NLM

National Livestock Mission (NLM)

1) Who implements National Livestock Mission?

National Livestock Mission is implemented by Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer's Welfare - Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries.

Commenced from: FY 2014-15

*Implemented in all States including Sikkim.

2)  What are the objectives of National Livestock Mission?

The objective of NLM is sustainable development of Livestock Sector, especially for poultry, goats, sheep, pig, pack animals, etc. and focusing on improving availability of quality feed and fodder

National Livestock Mission (NLM) provides assistance to improve:

a) Availability of quality feed and fodder, 

b) Risk mitigation and extension, 

c) Skill development and training for livestock sector including cattle and buffaloes. 

The Mission is designed to cover all the activities required to ensure quantitative and qualitative improvement in livestock production systems and capacity building of all stakeholders. 

The Mission will cover everything germane to improvement of livestock productivity and support projects and initiatives required for that purpose subject.

3) 4 Sub-Missions of National Livestock Mission

The National livestock Mission (NLM) is the umbrella scheme comprising of following 4 sub-Missions:

i. Sub-Mission on Livestock Development

There are provisions for:

- productivity enhancement, 

- entrepreneurship development and employment generation (bankable projects), 

- strengthening of infrastructure of state farms with respect to modernization, automation and biosecurity, 

- conservation of threatened breeds, 

- minor livestock development, 

- rural slaughter houses, 

- fallen animals and livestock insurance.

ii. Sub-Mission on Pig Development in North-eastern Region

There has been persistent demand from the North Eastern States seeking support for all round development of piggery in the region. For the first time, under NLM a Sub-Mission on Pig Development in North-Eastern Region is provided wherein Government of India would support the State Piggery Farms, and importation of germplasm so that eventually the masses get the benefit as it is linked to livelihood and contributes in providing protein-rich food in 8 States of the NER.

iii. Sub-Mission on Fodder and Feed Development

Address the problems of scarcity of animal feed resources, in order to give a push to the livestock sector making it a economically viable enterprise for India, and also to harness its export potential. 

iv. Sub-Mission on Skill Development, Technology Transfer and Extension

The extension machinery at field level for livestock activities is very weak. As a result, farmers are not able to adopt the technologies developed by research institutions. The emergence of new technologies and practices require linkages between stakeholders and this sub-mission will enable a wider outreach to the farmers.

All the States, including NER States may avail the benefits of the multiple components and the flexibility of choosing them under NLM for a sustainable livestock development.

4) What was the need of National livestock Mission?

a) The unorganized sector, especially women are involved in activities of livestock rearing and farming that usually takes place in their home's backyard. 

However, tremendous opportunities are offered for improving both nutritional and livelihood security of livestock rearers with specific scientific interventions by rearing pigs, small ruminants, backyard poultry, and other minor livestock. 

b) One of the reasons for implementing NLM from scheme-mode to mission-mode is to provide the necessary flexibility to all States and UTs in undertaking appropriate interventions suited to their conditions. 

c) Taking into consideration the overall requirement of the livestock sector, there is a need to augment resources for the sector and synergise activities through appropriate convergence, under the umbrella of NLM to supplement the efforts of the States and UTs to take care of the activities which cannot be accommodated within other ongoing schemes.

5) Things done so far under NLM:

a) All components under the NLM are made flexible and modular, looking into the needs of farmers and stake holders, and as per the geographical and regional requirements so that even the small and marginal farmers can also avail the benefits of the activities proposed under NLM. 

b) The distribution of resources and subsidies are also made equitable with considerations for APL, BPL beneficiaries and beneficiaries of North Eastern Region, Hilly, Left Wing Extremism areas so that the beneficiaries in more disadvantageous position get equitable benefits for sustainable livelihood.

c) The Risk Management and Insurance as a component of Sub-Mission on Livestock Development of National Livestock Mission (NLM) is implemented in all the District of the Country instead of 300 selected District earlier.

d) All animals are now covered,instead of only milch animals earlier.

Animals covered are:

- indigenous/crossbred milch animals, 

- Pack animals (Horse, Donkey, Mules, Camels, Ponies and Cattle Buffaloes male) and 

- other livestock (Goat, Sheep, Pigs, Rabbit, Yak and Mithun)

e) The benefit of subsidy has been enhanced and is restricted to 5 cattle unit per beneficiary per household instead of only 2 milch animals per household earlier in case of Goat, Sheep, Pigs and Rabbit.

*1 cattle unit = 10 animals 

Note:

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