The government is planning to set up foot and mouth disease (FMD) free zones in eight states to boost export of animal products. Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying Secretary Alka Upadhyay announced the initiative at a workshop on priority animal infectious diseases held on August 30. The workshop was organised by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in collaboration with the department. "We have made significant progress in controlling four serious diseases - FMD, peste des petits ruminants, brucellosis and classical swine fever - under the national control programme," Upadhyay said.

8 states will have FMD free zones

He said the government plans to establish FMD-free zones in eight states, where advanced vaccination efforts are underway. He said this strategic move will pave the way for expanding export opportunities for Indian animal products, thereby enhancing the country's global market presence. A prioritized list of top 20 animal infectious diseases was prepared in the three-day workshop based on factors such as severity, transmissibility and national importance. An action plan was developed focusing on coordination, communication, surveillance and monitoring, prevention and control, medical, and socio-economic and contingency planning.

Poultry sector is playing an important role

The Indian poultry sector, now an integral part of agriculture, has played a vital role in meeting the protein and nutritional needs. While crop production is growing at 1.5 to 2 per cent per year, egg and broiler production is growing at 8 to 10 per cent per year. Over the past two decades, the Indian poultry sector has grown into a mega-industry, establishing India as a major global producer of eggs and broiler meat.