India highlighted its experience in strengthening livestock health, productivity and sustainability at the FAO Global Conference for Action in One Health for Agrifood Systems, being held in Rome from September 21 to 23, 2026.
Dr Naveena B Maheswarappa, Animal Husbandry Commissioner at the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) and Chair of the FAO Committee on Agriculture (COAG) Sub-Committee on Livestock, participated as a panelist in Plenary Session 2, titled “Healthy Production Systems for Healthy Soil, Plants, Animals, Ecosystems and People.”
The session focused on the interconnected relationship between animal health, agricultural production, ecosystems and human well-being, reflecting the core principles of the One Health approach.
India’s Experience in One Health
During the session, Maheswarappa shared India’s experience of applying One Health principles to improve livestock production and strengthen the country’s agrifood systems.
He highlighted India’s increasing focus on preventive animal health measures and vaccination programmes. Preventive approaches can help reduce disease risks, protect livestock productivity and support more resilient production systems.
The panel discussion also covered productivity-led growth and genetic improvement as important components of livestock development. Improvements in animal genetics, combined with better health management and nutrition, can contribute to enhanced productivity and more efficient livestock production.
Digital technologies are also becoming increasingly important in India’s livestock sector. Maheswarappa highlighted digital livestock systems as part of the country’s efforts to improve monitoring, management and delivery of services across the sector.
Public-Private Partnerships
Another area highlighted during the discussion was the role of public-private partnerships in strengthening livestock systems.
Collaboration between government institutions, private companies, farmers and other stakeholders can support the development and adoption of technologies, improve service delivery and strengthen links between producers and markets.
Maheswarappa also referred to disease-free production systems and improved market access as important components of livestock-sector development.
Disease-free production can help improve animal health and productivity while supporting the movement of livestock products into formal and higher-value markets.
Balancing Productivity and Sustainability
The discussion also emphasised the need to balance livestock-sector growth with environmental and social considerations.
Maheswarappa highlighted the importance of balancing productivity with sustainability, innovation with inclusion, and public investment with private-sector participation.
These considerations are particularly relevant as countries seek to increase food production while managing resource constraints and ensuring that technological and economic gains reach producers across different sections of the livestock sector.
The One Health approach recognises that the health of people, animals, plants and ecosystems is interconnected. Applying this approach to agrifood systems therefore requires coordination across multiple sectors rather than addressing animal health, food production and environmental concerns separately.
Focus on Global Cooperation
South-South cooperation, knowledge exchange and technology transfer were also highlighted as important tools for strengthening food security and resilient agrifood systems.
Sharing experiences and technologies between developing and emerging economies can help countries adapt approaches to their own livestock and agricultural conditions.
India’s participation in the Rome conference provides an opportunity to share its experiences in preventive animal health, vaccination, livestock genetics, digital systems and partnerships with international stakeholders.
The FAO Global Conference for Action in One Health for Agrifood Systems brings together stakeholders to discuss practical approaches to integrating One Health principles into food and agricultural systems.
The discussions are taking place as countries work to strengthen food security, improve livestock productivity and build more resilient agrifood systems while addressing sustainability and health challenges.
