Why in the News?

The Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying has released operational guidelines 2.0 for National Livestock Mission (NLM).

What are the new operational guidelines 2.0 for NLM?

It focuses on promoting entrepreneurship, cluster-based development, and sustainable practices in the livestock sector.
They emphasize financial assistance through schemes like the Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF), capacity building, and modern technologies.
The launch of the NLM-EDP Dashboard ensures real-time monitoring and transparency.
Priority is given to poultry, dairy, and marginalized groups to drive equitable growth.

	Details
About	Launched in 2014-15, realigned in 2021-22 under the White Revolution – Rashtriya Pashudhan Vikas Yojana. Aims to enhance livestock production quantity and quality while fostering entrepreneurship. Overseen by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying.
Structural Mandate and Implementation	Comprises 3 sub-missions: (1) Breed Improvement of Livestock and Poultry, (2) Feed and Fodder Development, and (3) Innovation and Extension. Focus on entrepreneurship through financial incentives for individuals, FPOs, SHGs, cooperatives, and startups. Includes 10 activities, such as fodder cultivation and livestock insurance, emphasizing sustainable practices and stakeholder support.
Features	Entrepreneurship Support: 50% subsidy (up to ₹50 lakh) for horse, donkey, mule, and camel conservation. Fodder Seed Processing: Infrastructure eligible for 50% subsidy for private entities and cooperatives. Fodder Cultivation: Assistance to state governments for growing fodder in degraded and non-arable lands. Livestock Insurance: Reduced farmer premiums (15%), expanded animal coverage, and enhanced Centre-State funding (60:40 or 90:10).

The livestock sector grew at a CAGR of 7.9% from 2014-15 to 2020-21
Contribution to Agricultural GDP increased from 24.3% in 2014-15 to 30.1% in 2020-21
Contributes 4.35% to the national GDP in fiscal year 2022-23
Total livestock population: Approximately 536.76 million animals
Population growth: 4.8% increase since 2012
Global Livestock Ownership Highlights:
- 12.50% of world’s cattle population
- 56.70% of world’s buffalo population
- World’s second-largest poultry market
Major Schemes and Programmes:
- Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM): Launched in December 2014 for breed development
- National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP): Focuses on controlling Foot & Mouth Disease and Brucellosis
- Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF): Approved 116 projects worth INR 3,731.4 crore

[2012] Which of the following is the chief characteristic of ‘mixed farming’?

(a) Cultivation of both cash crops and food crops

(b) Cultivation of two or more crops in the same field

(d) None of the above