From Policy to Implementation: India’s FMD-Free Compartment Strategy

Pashu Sandesh, 24 July 2026

India’s efforts to achieve internationally recognized Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD)-free status gained fresh momentum with the first coordination meeting on the establishment of FMD Disease-Free Compartments held at the Centre for Animal Health and Education (CEAH), Hessaraghatta, Bengaluru on 17th July. The meeting marks an important transition from policy discussions to on-ground implementation planning and is being viewed as a key milestone in the country's roadmap towards becoming FMD-free by 2030.

The coordination meeting was organized as a follow-up to the National Workshop on Compartmentalization and Zoning for FMD conducted by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) in Bhubaneswar on July 8, 2026. The workshop had brought together policymakers, veterinary experts, breeding organizations and industry stakeholders to discuss global standards, disease control strategies and implementation frameworks for FMD control in India.

Focus on Disease-Free Compartments

According to updates shared by the department, the Bengaluru meeting focused on the establishment of FMD Disease-Free Compartments, particularly covering critical livestock breeding infrastructure such as semen stations and bull mother farms.

The concept of compartmentalization, recognized by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), allows countries to identify and certify specific livestock populations or production systems as disease-free based on stringent biosecurity and surveillance measures, irrespective of the disease status in the wider geographical region. This approach differs from traditional zoning, which relies on geographical boundaries.

Nine States Identified as Priorities

During the Bhubaneswar workshop, DAHD identified nine states for priority implementation of the FMD-free compartment strategy. These include Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra and Gujarat.
Why the Initiative Matters
Foot and Mouth Disease remains one of the most economically damaging diseases affecting cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats and pigs. Although mortality is generally low in adult animals, the disease causes major losses through reduced milk production, poor growth, reproductive problems and restrictions on animal movement and trade.

For India, the world's largest milk producer, achieving FMD-free status carries significant economic implications. Access to premium international markets for dairy and livestock products has long been constrained by the country's endemic FMD status. Disease-free compartments could provide a pathway for export-oriented production systems that meet international sanitary standards.

Moving Towards Operational Implementation

The Bengaluru meeting indicates that the compartmentalization programme is now entering an operational phase. The participation of breeding institutions, dairy organizations and animal husbandry agencies suggests that implementation will require coordinated action across multiple stakeholders.

If implemented effectively, the initiative could not only accelerate India's progress towards FMD-free status by 2030 but also enhance livestock productivity, strengthen biosecurity and improve the country's competitiveness in global dairy and livestock markets.

Dr Akash Waghmare
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