Government scales up dairy cooperatives, mobile veterinary care, digital milk procurement and nationwide rabies control under integrated animal health initiatives

Key Highlights

• 4,019 Mobile Veterinary Units operational across 29 States and Union Territories
• 100% Central funding for vaccination against Foot and Mouth Disease, Brucellosis, PPR and Classical Swine Fever
• White Revolution 2.0 targets 75,000 new Dairy Cooperative Societies and strengthening of 46,422 existing societies by 2028-29
• 67,433 dairy cooperative societies established against a target of 54,442 by March 2026
• Average cooperative milk procurement reaches 700 lakh litres per day in 2025-26
• Government reinforces Animal Birth Control Rules, 2023 and aims to eliminate dog-mediated rabies by 2030

News

The Government of India has announced a series of initiatives to strengthen the country’s veterinary healthcare system, accelerate White Revolution 2.0, modernise dairy cooperatives and improve the scientific management of stray dogs as part of its broader livestock development strategy.

The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying informed the Rajya Sabha that the measures are aimed at improving animal health, supporting dairy farmers, enhancing milk procurement and promoting public health through rabies control.

Veterinary Services Expanded Nationwide

Under the Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP), the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying continues to provide 100% Central assistance for vaccination against major livestock diseases, including:

• Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD)
• Brucellosis
• Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR)
• Classical Swine Fever (CSF)

To improve doorstep animal healthcare, 4,019 Mobile Veterinary Units (MVUs) are now operational across 29 States and Union Territories.

The programme also supports:

• Veterinary hospitals and dispensaries
• Disease diagnostic laboratories
• Capacity building for veterinarians and para-veterinarians
• Disease prevention and surveillance

White Revolution 2.0 Gains Momentum

The Government said White Revolution 2.0 aims to deepen dairy cooperative coverage across rural India by:

• Establishing 75,000 new Dairy Cooperative Societies
• Strengthening 46,422 existing societies by 2028-29

The programme has already exceeded interim targets, with 67,433 dairy cooperative societies formed against a target of 54,442 by March 2026.

Average milk procurement by dairy cooperatives has also increased to 700 lakh litres per day during 2025-26.

Digital Support for Dairy Farmers

To integrate unorganised dairy farmers into formal markets, the Government is supporting the formation and strengthening of dairy cooperative societies under the National Programme for Dairy Development (NPDD).

Key initiatives include:

• Farmer training programmes
• Milk quality testing equipment
• Modernisation of dairy processing plants
• Automation and energy-efficient technologies
• Automatic Milk Collection Units (AMCUs)
• Data Processor Milk Collection Units (DPMCUs)
• Real-time digital payment systems for milk producers

These measures are intended to improve transparency, operational efficiency and farmer incomes.

Humane Management of Stray Dogs

The Government highlighted the implementation of the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Rules, 2023, which establish a statutory framework for humane management of street dogs through:

• Sterilisation
• Anti-rabies vaccination
• Scientific population management

Under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment Scheme (2026-27), states are also eligible to establish:

• Dog shelters
• Animal shelters
• Animal Birth Control centres

National Rabies Elimination Goal

The Ministry reiterated its commitment to eliminating dog-mediated rabies by 2030 under the National Action Plan for Dog Mediated Rabies Elimination, being implemented through a One Health approach involving multiple ministries.

The Department has also directed all States and Union Territories to implement the Animal Birth Control Programme in accordance with the Supreme Court’s directions issued on 19 May 2026.

Hospitality Industry Impact

A healthier livestock ecosystem and stronger dairy cooperative network are expected to improve the reliability and quality of milk and dairy supplies for hotels, restaurants, bakeries and institutional foodservice operators. Increased milk procurement and modernised processing infrastructure can support consistent sourcing of dairy products while strengthening India’s farm-to-fork supply chain.

Improved animal health measures also contribute to food safety standards that are increasingly important for the hospitality and foodservice sectors.

Travel & Tourism Impact

Better veterinary services and stronger dairy infrastructure support rural economies that contribute to agri-tourism and culinary tourism. Reliable dairy production benefits regional food experiences, farm tourism and hospitality businesses that showcase local dairy products. Meanwhile, effective stray dog management and rabies control can improve public safety and visitor confidence in urban and tourist destinations.

Why It Matters

The government’s integrated approach combines livestock health, dairy sector expansion, digital transformation and public health initiatives to strengthen India’s animal husbandry ecosystem. These reforms are expected to improve farmer incomes, boost dairy productivity, enhance food safety and create positive spillover benefits for the hospitality, food processing and tourism industries.