National livestock mission: Future prospects and policy implications

Abstract:

The livestock sector plays a vital role in the Indian economy by contributing significantly to agricultural GDP, ensuring nutritional security, and providing livelihood support to millions of rural households. The National Livestock Mission (NLM), launched by the Government of India in 2014–15, aims to promote sustainable and scientific livestock development through improved breeding, feed and fodder management, animal health services, and entrepreneurship development. This review article examines the structure, objectives, implementation mechanisms, and impact of NLM on farmer income, rural employment, and livestock productivity. The mission emphasizes inclusion of small and marginal farmers, women, and rural youth by providing capital subsidies, skill development, and institutional support for livestock-based enterprises such as poultry, goatery, piggery, and fodder units. Despite notable achievements in enhancing productivity and promoting entrepreneurship, several challenges persist, including low awareness, credit constraints, delays in subsidy disbursement, fodder scarcity, weak market linkages, and inadequate veterinary services. The study also highlights future prospects of NLM, including digitalization, climate-resilient livestock systems, improved market infrastructure, and strengthened policy frameworks. Overall, NLM has strong potential to transform traditional livestock farming into a sustainable, income-generating sector, provided that implementation gaps are addressed through effective policy support, capacity building, and institutional coordination.