Prime
Minister Narendra Modi launched the National Animal Disease Control Programme
(NADCP) and the National Artificial Insemination Programme in Mathura on
Wednesday.
The
NADCP is a programme that aims to eradicate the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD)
and brucellosis in livestock. The NADCP has two components — to control the
diseases by 2025 and eradication of the same by 2030.
With
100% funding from the Central government — of Rs 12,652 crore for a period of
five years till 2024 — the programme aims at vaccinating over 500 million
livestock including cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats and pigs against the FMD. The
programme also aims at vaccinating 36 million female bovine calves annually in
its fight against the brucellosis disease.
While
addressing the crowd, the Prime Minister said: “It is unfortunate that in India
there are some people who are gripped with fear when they hear the words ‘om’
or ‘cow’. They think our nation has relegated to the 16th Century. These ideas
are used by those who want to destroy our country.”
Present
along with the prime minister were Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi
Adityanath, Union Minister for Animal Husbandry, Dairy and Fisheries Giriraj
Singh and Mathura MP Hema Malini.
During
the event, PM Modi personally interacted with farmers, veterinary doctors and
plastic waste segregators. He sat down with women who segregate plastic from
garbage and explained to them the importance of separating plastic so it didn’t
end up in the stomachs of cows.
