Gandhinagar, March 19: Gujarat has successfully reduced the spread of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) among livestock to just 3%. This achievement follows a significant increase in herd immunity, reaching nearly 80% in 2025. Officials attribute this success to a large-scale vaccination campaign.
This milestone comes as India, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, aims to eradicate FMD by 2030. The initiative in the state is led by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, focusing on improving animal health and increasing farmers’ incomes.
According to officials, enhanced veterinary services and disease control have significantly boosted milk production in the state. Jigar Patel, a farmer from Lodhra village in Gandhinagar district, reported that his 32 animals receive free vaccinations every six months from the livestock department, positively impacting milk yield.
Mahendra Patel, secretary of the Lodhra Milk Producers Cooperative Society, noted that nearly 50% of the over 1,700 animals in the village have been vaccinated, with the campaign ongoing.
Thousands of employees from the livestock department and dairy cooperatives are conducting vaccinations across villages, fields, and cow shelters. This initiative is part of the central government’s National Animal Disease Control Program, which commenced on September 11, 2019.
Dr. Falguni Thakar, director of the Gujarat Animal Husbandry Department, announced that a new vaccination campaign started on March 1, which occurs biannually. She emphasized that the success of this campaign is evident from the declining number of cases and reduced virus transmission.
In recent years, only sporadic cases have emerged in the state, and their severity has been low. Thanks to vaccinations and biosecurity measures, the spread of the virus was limited to just 3% in 2025.
Foot-and-Mouth Disease is a highly contagious viral infection that causes fever and blisters in the mouth and feet of animals. It leads to decreased appetite, weight loss, and reduced milk production, resulting in economic losses for farmers.
Gujarat is home to approximately 20 million cattle and buffaloes, with 17.1 million eligible for vaccination. The state plans to vaccinate 33.75 million animals in two phases during the 2025-26 fiscal year.
Additionally, under the National Digital Livestock Mission, animals are being registered on the ‘Bharat Pashudhan’ portal with unique 12-digit ear tags, facilitating better health and vaccination monitoring.
Officials estimate that FMD causes an annual economic loss of around ₹24,000 crore in the country. Continuous vaccination and safety measures will not only help control the disease but also boost milk production and strengthen the rural economy.
My name is Narendra Jijhontiya. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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