Stronger veterinary infrastructure key to rural financial system progress: Union minister S P Singh Baghel

India wants stronger veterinary infrastructure and expert professionals to help its rural financial system, Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying S P Singh Baghel mentioned on Saturday.
Talking at a nationwide workshop on the event of World Veterinary Day, Baghel described veterinarians as “the spine of the agricultural financial system” and referred to as for higher collaboration amongst veterinary professionals, scientists, and public well being consultants to make sure an built-in well being strategy, in accordance with an official assertion as reported by information company PTI.
India is dwelling to over 536 million livestock, the biggest on this planet, with practically 70 per cent of rural households relying on animals for revenue, meals, and livelihood safety, he mentioned.
The minister emphasised the significance of indigenous livestock breeds, well-suited to native local weather situations and important for sustainable agricultural techniques. He additionally advocated for the adoption of superior reproductive applied sciences like sex-sorted semen and in vitro fertilization (IVF) to spice up animal productiveness.
Baghel additionally highlighted digital efforts such because the Nationwide Digital Livestock Mission for real-time illness monitoring and reaffirmed India’s dedication to the One Well being strategy to fight zoonotic ailments.
Animal Husbandry Secretary Alka Upadhyaya referred to as for “a complete overhaul” of the nation’s veterinary ecosystem, pointing to a extreme scarcity of veterinary professionals, regardless of important progress in applied sciences like IVF and cattle immunization.
FAO Assistant Director-Common Thanawat Tiensin, talking nearly from Rome, praised India’s management in international One Well being initiatives and its latest recognition beneath the Pandemic Fund for Animal Well being Preparedness.
The theme for World Veterinary Day 2025 is “Animal Well being Takes a Staff”, underscoring the necessity for joint efforts by veterinarians, scientists, public well being consultants, and farmers.