Workshop on FMD-Free Zone Development in India
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, in collaboration with the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), organized a three-day PVS–PPP Targeted Support Workshop on "FMD-Free Zone Development in India" from 15–17 September 2026 at the National Agricultural Science Complex (NASC), New Delhi. The workshop brought together representatives from DAHD, 12 State Animal Husbandry Departments, experts from WOAH Paris, CDDL/RDDLs, NDDB, ICAR Research Institutions, industry, livestock value-chain stakeholders and technical experts to strengthen the pathway towards establishing FMD-free zones and compartments in India.
The workshop aimed to support national and state stakeholders in refining and strengthening their FMD-free zone and compartment action plans through technical analysis, peer learning, public–private partnership (PPP) design and alignment with WOAH standards and official recognition requirements. The inaugural session was attended by Shri. Naresh Pal Gangwar, Secretary, AHD and WOAH Delegate of India, along with Dr Naveena B. Maheswarappa, Animal Husbandry Commissioner, DAHD, Dr Divakar Hemadri, ADG (Animal Health), ICAR, New Delhi and Ms. Barbara Alessandrini, Head, Capacity Building Department, WOAH, Paris.
Progress and Achievements in FMD Control
Shri. Naresh Pal Gangwar highlighted India's substantial progress in FMD control under the Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme, with the country investing in large-scale vaccination, animal identification, surveillance, laboratory strengthening and disease reporting. The Department's objective is to control and ultimately obtain FMD freedom by 2030. Significant achievements include administration of more than 147.16 crore FMD vaccine doses till date, benefiting around 8.04 crore farmers, with a notable decline in FMD outbreaks from 132 in 2019 to 40 in 2025 and further to 20 till August 2026. NSP antibody positivity declined to 8.1% in 2025.
The Department has developed guidelines for creation of FMD free compartments in India through extensive stakeholder consultation and introduced Minimum Standards of Veterinary Infrastructure in India in 2025. States are being supported under the Support to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) framework to address infrastructure and system-readiness gaps. The workshop also addressed the emerging threat of SAT Serotypes of FMD and India's preparedness to deal with such exotic serotypes.
Workshop Proceedings and Technical Focus
On the first day, WOAH experts provided an overview of the WOAH Performance of Veterinary Services (PVS) Pathway and PVS–PPP approach, WOAH requirements for recognition of FMD-free zones, surveillance and post-vaccination monitoring, international experience from Brazil, and opportunities for public–private engagement. Practical group exercises involved public and private stakeholders from nine priority States.
The second day focused on co-designing solutions to address identified bottlenecks, covering vaccination systems and engagement with the vaccine industry, surveillance and diagnostic partnerships, animal identification and traceability, producer organisations and value-chain integration, as well as investment and financing models.
The final day focused on validation of State-level action plans, with representatives of the nine priority States presenting their proposed action plans followed by technical feedback from WOAH experts and other specialists. The presentations refined interventions related to surveillance, vaccination, laboratory preparedness, traceability, biosecurity, movement control, veterinary infrastructure and PPP engagement.
The workshop emphasized that PPP engagement should extend beyond financial participation to encompass the full animal-health value chain, including vaccine supply and delivery, diagnostics, animal identification and traceability, producer organisations, dairy and livestock value chains, veterinary service delivery and risk communication.
Outcomes and Future Direction
The three-day deliberations culminated in the refinement of State Action Plans and identification of priority technical interventions and opportunities for public–private partnership in FMD-free zone and compartment development. Dr. Naveena B. Maheswarappa expressed confidence that States would translate workshop outcomes into clear, evidence-based and time-bound action plans for progressive development of FMD-free zones and compartments with strengthened private sector collaboration.
This initiative represents an important step towards India's national objective of achieving FMD-free status by 2030, with strengthened State Action Plans supported by WOAH standards and appropriately designed public–private partnerships providing a structured pathway for progressive development, maintenance and eventual recognition of FMD-free zones and compartments in India.