Union Minister inaugurates India’s first ever Animal Health Summit

Source: The post is based on the article “Union Minister inaugurates India’s first ever Animal Health Summit” published in PIB on 9th July 2022

What is the News?

Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying has inaugurated the first India Animal Health Summit 2022.

What is the India Animal Health Summit 2022?

Organized by: Indian Chamber of Food and Agriculture(ICFA) and the Agriculture Today Group.

Aim: To understand the importance of animal health towards the broader objective of the country’s food and nutrition security, rural incomes and prosperity and overall economic development.

Why is Animal Health important?

Animals and animal products are critical components of the country’s development in terms of food security, nutrition, and overall sustainability. 

For instance, India has the world’s largest cattle population and produces the most milk, yet per-animal productivity remains low. 

Low productivity is due to multiple factors, the most important being animal health which has a serious bearing on productivity.

Zoonotic illnesses have evolved as worldwide health hazards due to the intricate interactions among humans, animals, and the environment. 

Furthermore, food-borne infections and antimicrobial resistance(AMR) have increased the strain on the country’s health system and economy. 

Hence, given the re-emergence of old diseases as well as the emergence of new diseases, a call for a comprehensive national animal health strategy is essential.