Rajiv Ranjan Singh launches Rate My Laboratory App, three portals for dairy, veterinary sectors

Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh, who heads the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, launched four digital platforms at the National Workshop on Compartmentalization and Zoning for Foot & Mouth Disease (FMD), held on 8 July 2026 in Bhubaneswar. The Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD) organized the two-day event to discuss aligning India’s animal health system with international zoning standards ahead of the government’s 2030 target for FMD-free status.

The four launches were the Rate My Laboratory App, built under the Pandemic Fund to gather real-time feedback on veterinary diagnostic laboratories; the Dairy Vikas Portal, which centralizes data on Bulk Milk Coolers, Milk Collection Centres and milk procurement; and the Vidyapeeth Portal, a digital system for accredited Artificial Insemination Training Institutes covering trainee records and QR-based certification. A folder and video explaining the Standard Operating Procedure for preventing and controlling mastitis in dairy animals were also released.

The event’s chief guest, Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh, lit the ceremonial lamp alongside Minister of State Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel, Odisha Fisheries & Animal Resources Development Minister Shri Gokulananda Mallik, DAHD Secretary Shri Naresh Pal Gangwar, Additional Secretary Ms. Varsha Joshi, Additional Secretary Shri Rama Shankar Sinha and Animal Husbandry Commissioner Dr. Naveena B. Maheswarappa.

Speaking at the workshop, the Minister said the livestock sector accounts for roughly 31% of Agricultural GVA and 5.5% of overall national GVA. He cited a drop in NSP positivity from 16.6% in 2022 to 7.8% in 2026, more than 1.4 billion FMD vaccine doses administered so far, zero reported Asia-1 serotype cases in the past three years, and an annual vaccine production capacity of 116 crore doses. Nine states have been designated priority states for compartmentalization and zoning work.

Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel pointed to the sector’s role in supporting over 8 crore rural families, many of them women-led households, and referenced milestones under the National Animal Disease Control Programme. Shri Gokulananda Mallik called for sustained vaccination, surveillance and stronger veterinary infrastructure, while DAHD Secretary Shri Naresh Pal Gangwar underlined the importance of zoning in India’s broader FMD-control strategy.

Technical discussions on day one addressed WOAH criteria for FMD-free zones and a review of the SASCI capital investment scheme across states. Ms. Varsha Joshi asked states to prepare Fodder Task Forces and contingency plans ahead of possible El Niño effects on fodder availability. The workshop’s second day, on 9 July 2026, will take up differential FMD strategies, negative marker vaccines and threats from SAT serotypes.