Government has decided to take up foot and mouth disease (FMD) vaccination in 16 states and one Union Territory under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana. Initially 100 crore rupees has been allotted for the control of the disease. Foot and mouth disease is one of the most economically devastating contagious viral animal diseases affecting all susceptible cloven-footed animals. As per the estimates, direct loss due to milk and meat is to the tune of 20 thousand crores rupees per annum. Agriculture Ministry in a release said, to prevent economic losses due to the disease, a location specific 'FMD Control Programme' is being implemented since 2002 and been covered in 13 states and six Union territories.<br/><br/>The Ministry said that with robust implementation of FMD control programme, the disease occurrence has drastically been reduced. It said, the number of FMD outbreaks have come down to 109 in 2015 from 879 in 2012.