The Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services, Government of Nagaland, in collaboration with the Nagaland Livestock Development Board (NLDB), successfully launched the 4th round of the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) Vaccination Mission in Nagaland state under the National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP) on 11th September 2024 at the Nagaland Livestock Development Board headquarters, Kohima. The programme was chaired by Dr. Kewelelo Mero, Project Director, NLDB.
In his keynote address, Dr. Khriekuolie Linyu, Managing Director, NLDB highlighted the overall roadmap of the National Animal Disease Control Programme for FMD.
The event was launched by Dr. Achila Ao, Director, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services, Government of Nagaland, in the presence of senior officials from the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, local farmers, and veterinary professionals. In her address, the Director reiterated the state’s commitment to combating animal diseases that impact the livestock economy and rural households. The Director further emphasized the importance of such initiatives for improving animal health and productivity and highlighted the success of previous rounds of the vaccination drive.
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The FMD vaccination drive aims to bolster livestock health across the state and eliminate Foot and Mouth Disease, a contagious viral disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats and pigs. The nationwide campaign is part of the Government’s broader vision to control FMD by 2025 and eradicate by 2030 and ensure healthier livestock productivity, contributing to rural livelihoods and the nation’s food security.
The NADCP initiative seeks to control FMD by 2025 and eradicate the disease by 2030 through continuous vaccination rounds, improved animal health and reduce productivity losses due to the disease, Boost milk and meat production, contributing to the economy and food security and strengthen the livelihoods of farmers, particularly in rural areas.
The previous three rounds of the vaccination drive have resulted in a significant reduction in FMD cases across the state, with over 95% of livestock already covered under the programme. This 4th round aims to achieve 100% vaccination coverage, ensuring protection for all susceptible animals in Nagaland.
As the 4th round of vaccination begins, the department remains committed to ensuring every livestock owner across the state has access to necessary veterinary support. The NADCP is part of India’s larger vision of becoming self-reliant in agricultural and animal husbandry sectors, and the success of this programme is seen as a critical step toward that goal.
The FMD vaccination drive will continue across all districts of Nagaland over the next few weeks, with local veterinary teams actively administering vaccines and educating farmers on disease management practices. The vaccination will be done on a schedule manner. Therefore, the administration, village authorities and farmers are requested to assist the department officials to take maximum benefit of this vaccination mission.
