India aims for FMD-free status in nine states within two years, eyes Europe's dairy market
India aims for foot-and-mouth disease-free status in nine states within two years. This initiative seeks to unlock Europe's lucrative dairy market for Indian producers. Sustained vaccination efforts have significantly reduced disease outbreaks across the nation. The government is also developing indigenous vaccines for various animal diseases. Efforts are underway to enhance fish exports and develop untapped aquaculture potential.
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Context
The Government of India aims to achieve Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) free status in nine states within two years, with a national goal of eradication by 2030. This push, driven by indigenous vaccines and digital traceability, aims to unlock the lucrative European dairy market, which currently restricts Indian imports due to FMD concerns. Additionally, the government highlighted the need to boost inland fisheries exports and develop Odisha's brackish water potential for shrimp farming.
UPSC Perspectives
Economic
The economic rationale behind targeting FMD-free certification is rooted in expanding India's export footprint. Despite being the world's largest milk producer, India's dairy exports are constrained by Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs), specifically Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures enforced by developed nations like the EU. Certification by the is crucial for overcoming these barriers. The article also highlights the resilience of the seafood export sector despite a 58% US tariff, attributing growth to Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). This demonstrates the importance of diversifying export markets and leveraging bilateral trade pacts to mitigate geopolitical risks and tariff shocks. The push to expand inland fisheries and shrimp farming in Odisha points to a strategy of unlocking underutilized resources for export-led growth under the .
Governance
The drive towards FMD eradication highlights the critical role of technology in governance and ensuring traceability in supply chains. The use of 13-digit digital identity tags for 38 crore animals and the introduction of an OTP-based verification system for vaccinations address issues of data integrity and prevent false reporting of immunizations. This digital infrastructure is vital for meeting international standards and proving disease-free status to bodies like the . The collaboration between the and the Department of Animal Husbandry in developing indigenous vaccines for FMD, Classical Swine Fever (CSF), and Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) underscores the importance of R&D and self-reliance in animal health management. The mandate for to disseminate research directly to farmers illustrates the critical last-mile delivery mechanism in agricultural extension services.
Geographical
The article emphasizes the geographical potential of specific regions in India for specialized agricultural exports. The focus on developing Odisha's brackish water potential for shrimp farming highlights the state's strategic advantage due to its extensive coastline and estuarine ecosystems. Brackish water aquaculture is highly lucrative but requires specific environmental conditions. Furthermore, the significant disparity between inland fisheries production (which has surged) and its low share in exports (only 2%) points to logistical bottlenecks. The proposed use of drone-based transport suggests innovative solutions to overcome geographical barriers and connect remote inland production centers to export hubs, thereby integrating the hinterland into the global supply chain.