Performance assessment of the National Livestock Mission in India using a Composite Performance Index Approach

Abstract

The National Livestock Mission (NLM) is a flagship programme of the Government of India aimed at promoting sustainable livestock development through entrepreneurship development, breed improvement, fodder development and value chain strengthening. Despite substantial financial support, considerable variation exists in the implementation performance of the scheme across Indian States. Therefore, the present study assessed the performance of the National Livestock Mission using a Composite Performance Index (CPI). Secondary data for the period 2021–22 to 2025–26 were compiled from the National Livestock Mission Dashboard of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India. Five performance indicators, namely Project Approval Rate, Subsidy Release Rate, Project Cost Utilization Rate, Loan Utilization Rate and Subsidy Utilization Rate, were normalized using the Min–Max normalization technique and aggregated with equal weights to construct the Composite Performance Index. The results revealed considerable inter-state variation in programme implementation. Jharkhand (0.943), Odisha (0.918), Nagaland (0.869), Mizoram (0.865) and Madhya Pradesh (0.802) recorded the highest Composite Performance Index values, whereas Manipur (0.114) and Gujarat (0.365) exhibited relatively poor implementation performance. Based on CPI values, six States were classified under the Excellent category, eighteen under Good, two under Moderate and two under Poor performance. The findings indicate that improving project implementation efficiency, timely subsidy release and financial utilization is essential for enhancing the effectiveness of the National Livestock Mission across States.