India Sets Aside ₹3,000 Crore for Livestock Sector Reforms Under SASCI 2026-27

New incentive programme aims to strengthen veterinary infrastructure, animal disease control and livestock services across Indian states

NEW DELHI, July 14, 2026: The Government of India has earmarked ₹3,000 crore for livestock sector reforms under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment, or SASCI, 2026-27.

The funding is designed to encourage states and Union Territories to improve livestock, dairy and veterinary infrastructure. The ₹3,000 crore figure is confirmed in the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying’s official SASCI operational guidelines dated April 10, 2026.

₹3,000 crore linked to livestock reforms

Unlike a simple grant divided equally among states, the SASCI livestock programme uses qualifying and performance conditions.

States and Union Territories have been grouped into four categories based on the size of their livestock sector. The official guidelines place states into Categories A, B, C and D, with different incentive amounts earmarked for each group.

The wider SASCI 2026-27 programme provides states with 50-year interest-free loans for capital investment. The total national SASCI allocation across sectors is ₹2 lakh crore, while ₹3,000 crore is earmarked specifically for Part VIII covering livestock sector reforms.

Nagaland livestock reforms reviewed in Chümoukedima

The programme came into fresh focus after central and Nagaland officials met in Chümoukedima on July 11 to review implementation of SASCI 2026-27 in the state.

The meeting was organised by the Animal Husbandry Statistics Division of the central Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying with Nagaland’s Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Department.

Nagaland has been placed in Category D under the livestock reform programme. Officials discussed the state’s difficult terrain, poor connectivity and recurring animal disease problems, particularly African swine fever in pigs.

African swine fever puts pig farming under pressure

African swine fever remains a serious challenge for Nagaland’s pig farmers.

In May and June 2026, authorities confirmed ASF outbreaks in parts of Chümoukedima and Kohima. Infected and surveillance zones were declared, while movement of pigs and pork products was restricted in affected areas.

During the SASCI review, Nagaland officials sought stronger support for farm biosecurity and compensation linked to pig disease control. Support for local pig breeds, including Nagal and Tenyivo, was also discussed.

India puts veterinary infrastructure at the centre of livestock growth

The ₹3,000 crore SASCI livestock programme is significant because India is linking central financial support with measurable reforms by states.

The official objective is to build a stronger livestock system and improve infrastructure in the livestock, dairy and veterinary sectors. States can use incentive funding for capital projects, with preference encouraged for livestock and veterinary infrastructure listed in the programme guidelines.

For states such as Nagaland, the immediate need is practical: better animal disease control, stronger veterinary services and improved protection for farmers when outbreaks destroy livestock businesses.

The July 11 review shows that SASCI 2026-27 is now moving from national guidelines towards state-level implementation.

For India’s animal health sector, the ₹3,000 crore livestock reform pool could become an important source of investment in veterinary infrastructure and disease control during 2026-27.