Kerala to Launch India’s First Online Marketplace for Domestic Animals and Birds

KOCHI: In a first-of-its-kind initiative in India, the Kerala government is preparing to launch an online platform for the buying and selling of domestic animals and birds. The project, spearheaded by the Kerala Livestock Development Board (KLDB), is expected to go live within the year.

The digital marketplace will allow users to trade a wide range of animals, including pets like cats and dogs, livestock such as cattle and goats, poultry, ornamental birds, and fish. According to officials, the platform will carry detailed listings with breed information, age, health status, vaccination records, and pricing. For cattle, additional details such as gestational stage and milk yield will be available.

The initiative was dreamed up by Animal Husbandry Minister J. Chinchu Rani to modernise the livestock trade while ensuring transparency and accessibility.

The state’s Startup Mission has been tasked with developing both the website and mobile application. Over 60 companies have already been consulted during the planning phase.

The service will be rolled out free of cost in its initial phase. However, officials indicated that a nominal user fee may be introduced in later stages to maintain operational sustainability.

To address concerns of digital accessibility, the government will offer support through Akshaya Centers across the state, ensuring that individuals with limited digital literacy can still access the platform. In addition, transportation facilities for moving animals will be made available through the site at fixed rates.

According to sources, the platform will require the following from sellers:

• Complete animal details, including photographs and asking price
• Valid health and registration certificates
• Vaccination history, along with contact information

The government has also assured users of the following safeguards:

• Verified listings and regular audits to ensure transaction transparency
• A direct interface between buyers and sellers to eliminate middlemen
• Integrated transport options for hassle-free movement of animals

Officials have stated that the platform is aimed not just at boosting economic activity in the animal husbandry sector but also at establishing a structured and regulated environment for animal trade, a sector that has long been dominated by unregulated, offline markets. Once launched, Kerala will become the first state in the country to digitize the domestic animal trade at this scale.