Viksit Bharat: Role of Veterinarians and Viksit Bharat
Dr. Simanta Kumar Nanda, Retired Joint Director (Animal Welfare), Odisha
VIKSIT BHARAT, or Developed India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s clarion call for India’s future making it a developed country and simultaneously aligning it with the nation’s centenary year of independence in 2047 celebration-Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. The vision is akin to Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) enunciated and adopted by the United Nations for developed and developing countries. Indian comes under the latter category. The manifesto ‘Viksit Bharat’ is primarily derived from the SDGs to transform India into a prosperous, equitable, sustainable and resilient nation by 2047 covering six key areas – Economic Development, Social Equality, Human Development, Infrastructure Development, Environmental Sustainability, and Good Governance. Viksit Bharat seeks to eradicate poverty, ensure universal access to education and healthcare, and enhance India’s global competitiveness through liberalized trade practice. Bit wise objectives of Viksit Bharat include eradicating poverty and hunger, ensuring universal access to education and healthcare, promoting innovation and entrepreneurship, fostering social cohesion and inclusivity, protecting the environment and natural resources, and enhancing India’s global position to be among one of the top developed countries by 2047. To achieve these objectives, strategies such as investment in human capital, encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship, developing infrastructure, implementing sustainable practices, strengthening institutions, and fostering international partnerships will be key narratives in the next 25 years. Transformation of lives of millions of lives in an agrarian society, as in India, is a challenging task. It is imperative that the quality of life farmers’ community should improve to realize the dream of Viksit Bharat.
Therefore, ‘’Viksit Bharat 2047’’ initiative aims to transform India’s agricultural and rural development sectors by 2047. Key targets include increasing agricultural GDP growth rate to 4% per annum, boosting farm income by 50% by 2025, achieving self-sufficiency in pulse production by 2025, and increasing irrigation coverage to 90% by 2030. Additionally, the initiative focuses on promoting organic farming in 20% of cultivated areas, enhancing crop yields by 20% through precision agriculture, and reducing post-harvest losses to 5% by 2025. Rural development goals include upgrading infrastructure in 50,000 villages, achieving 100% rural broadband connectivity and electrification, and increasing rural employment opportunities by 30%. Farmers’ welfare initiatives include comprehensive crop insurance, soil health cards, enhanced fertilizer and seed subsidies, and a pension scheme for small and marginal farmers. Sustainability targets focus on climate-resilient practices, water conservation, integrated nutrient management, reducing chemical fertilizer usage by 20% by 2030, and increasing agro-forestry areas to 20%. The initiative also promotes technology and innovation through precision agriculture, digital platforms, mobile apps, AI initiatives, and agricultural research. To achieve these goals, Rs. 50,000 crore will be allocated for agricultural development, with an additional Rs. 1,00,000 crore mobilized through private sector investments, and an agricultural infrastructure fund established. The timeline is divided into short-term (2025), mid-term (2030), and long-term (2047) goals, aiming for sustainable growth, improved farmer livelihoods, and enhanced rural development.
Dependence on livestock has been a lifelong practice of farmers irrespective of the category they belong. Piquantly, the smallholder, marginal and landless farmers are largely dependent upon livestock poultry for either fully fledged livelihood or additional income. In such an environment, the role played by Veterinarian shall be influential for India’s growth and development of livestock sector in Viksit Bharat 2047’s Agriculture and Rural Development episode. This sector aims to increase agricultural GDP growth rate to 4% per annum and boost farm income by 50% by 2025 ¹. Key performing objectives for veterinarians and livestock professionals would therefore be to improve livestock productivity through improved variety of all domestic animals and poultry, to produce food of animal origin like meat, dairy products, and egg production besides developing effective disease management and vaccination programs for animal healthcare and welfare, and generate rural employment opportunities through livestock entrepreneurship. To achieve these overall goals, the government plans to invest heavily in agricultural infrastructure, technology, and research. Specific targets include achieving 90% irrigation coverage, promoting organic farming in 20% of cultivated areas, and ensuring 100% rural broadband connectivity, all by 2030. Additionally, the sector aims for a 30% increase in rural employment opportunities through skill development by focusing on agriculture and rural development, Vikasit Bharat 2047 envisions a prosperous and sustainable India.
What could be the role and position of veterinarians in Viksit Bharat:
Veterinarians’ role and contribution shall be crucial in livestock sector in Viksit Bharat 2047 modulating the operational standards of various segments of livestock and poultry development and nation building hitherto not recognised. Their expertise spans multiple areas, driving growth and development. Breeding and conservation of indigenous breeds of cattle are key components of National Livestock Mission (NLM) and Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM). Objective of this mission is conservation, development, and promotion of breeds to improve their genetic quality for higher production. All aimed at farmers’ sustenance and higher income in the long run. Gir breed is an example. Latin American countries have greatly benefited by importation of Gir bulls and subsequently improving them into super class animals. The allocation under NLM is Rs. 2,300 crore (approximately $ 310). The veterinarians need to oversee the mission to succeed. Skill development and confidence building of veterinarians are other aspects which should not be glossed over to operationlise NLM. It is said HEALTH IS WEALTH. How often there is a call for ‘’Health for All’’. It holds good for all whether animals, plants, environment and the entire ecosystem. Man’s existence without them is incomprehensible. The concept of ‘One Health & One World’ is the outcome of this holistic idea. For that a multidisciplinary approach is warranted where the role of veterinarians is essential. Without animal welfare securing animal health is impossible.
A veterinarian is a multipurpose professional. Veterinarians ensure in improvement in breeding, livestock productivity, disease management, and nutrition. They promote animal welfare, ensuring humane treatment and reducing animal suffering and help in bonding between humans and animals. They are also friend, philosopher and guide of a farmers’ family. Veterinarians ensure food safety and quality food production and help in reducing the impact of antimicrobial resistance. They also improve aquaculture and fisheries, contributing to India’s food security and foreign exchange earnings. Rural Development is another major area in the portfolio of veterinarians. Empowerment through skill development of members of Women Self Help Groups (WSHGs) and rural youths is a focal point in rural development when rural folk opt for raising livestock or poultry as livelihood options. Veterinarians address zoonotic diseases, conserve wildlife and biodiversity, mitigate climate change impacts on livestock, and promote eco-friendly animal agriculture. They are important partners in health for all and conservation of ecosystem envisioned in ‘One Health and One World Concept’.
Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Veterinarians develop novel feed products and services, encourage startup culture, collaborate with industries and academia, and foster innovation in animal husbandry. Education and Awareness-veterinarians conduct workshops, develop educational materials, promote awareness on animal health and welfare, and engage with farmers, livestock owners, and stakeholders. Policy and Advocacy: Veterinarians influence policy decisions, advocate for improved veterinary infrastructure, support animal health research and development, and collaborate with government agencies and NGOs. Specific Initiatives: Key initiatives include the National Animal Disease Control Program, National Livestock Mission, Rashtriya Gokul Mission, and Animal Health and Welfare Board. Most importantly they are service providers to millions of farmers and their clients, the animals, under hazardous condition.
By contributing to these areas, veterinarians play a vital role in achieving Viksit Bharat 2047’s goals, transforming India’s agricultural and rural landscape. To achieve Viksit India 2047, India’s livestock sector requires strategic engineering. The sector has immense potential to contribute significantly to the country’s growth and development. Major interventions in livestock production starting with breeding, artificial insemination using sex sorted semen, embryo transfer, animal nutrition including feed computation, require the involvement of veterinarian Breed improvement programs, controlled and effective trans-boundary disease management, data-driven disease surveillance and monitoring, check on zoonotic diseases using modern gadgets with genome sequencing, decision making using technology, adoption of modern technology, modernization of infrastructure in tune with Veterinary Council of India (VCI) guidelines, grass land and pasture management, sanitary and hygiene management in large farms, manure and bio=gas plant management, food inspection, promotion of sustainable farm practices, sustainable practices to ensure environmental conservation and climate resilience.
Livestock Sector is considered as an engine for growth of rural economy. Some 20.5 million people depend on livestock for their livelihood and provide employment to 8.8% of the population in India. Therefore, the livestock sector holds greater promise than agricultural farming. With India holding the largest livestock owners, the sector seems to at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 7.67% between 2014-15 and 2021-22. It is likely grow faster with the pro-farmers policies and initiatives declared by the Government of India to augment livestock production.. Therefore, there is an anticipated increase in livestock sector GDP up to 6%. Just have a glance at the population of domestic animals. India has the largest population of buffaloes, second in goats, third in sheep, second largest poultry market in the world, largest producer of milk and second largest producer of fish and second largest aquaculture country in the world. With so much potential of natural resources Viksit Bharat is set to have a Swansong with calypso rhythm by 2047.
The key outcomes would be an increase of 6% in livestock contribution to GDP, enhanced livestock productivity by 30%, reduced disease outbreaks by 50%, increased meat and dairy exports by 20%, and creation of 10 million new livelihoods in livestock sector. These will be achieved in phased manner viz., (a) Short term (2025) – Improvement in infrastructure and enhancement of extension service, (b) Mid-term (2030) – Promotion of entrepreneurship, foster research and development (c) Long term(2047) – Achievement of sustainable and climate resilient livestock production. Timeline 2025-2047. Stakeholders in this high octane exercise would be Central and State governments, farmers and livestock owners, dairy cooperatives, private sector companies, research institutions and universities, NGOs and civil societies and the CONSUMERS. To have these idyllic focused areas to boost segment-wise production, comprehensive strategic planning compounded with technological advances should be in place with a devoted workforce at the back. The current status of production (2022), Milk production 198 (MT), Meat – 7.5 million MT (beef, pork, poultry, sheep and goat meat), Eggs-95 billion, Wool – 44million kg and hide not included with an impressive vanguard of 535 million livestock population (cattle, buffalo, sheep and goats, pigs and poultry.
Target envisioned (2047): I. Milk production: 350 million MT (76% increase), Meat production: 15 million MT (100% increase), Egg production: 200 billion (110% increase), Wool production: 70 million kg, (59% increase) and a commensurate 49% rise in livestock population: 800 million. Strategy to achieve the above targets encompasses (a) breed improvement (b) importation of high yielding breeds (c) intensifying artificial insemination (d) focus on development indigenous breeds with high potential (e) assurance of quality nutrition for livestock and poultry (f) computation of production of nutrient rich feed formulation (g) production of good quality feed and its availability (h) development of feed supplements for nutrient rich feed. II. Health outreach: Health and disease management (a) disease surveillance and monitoring (b) service at the farmers’ doorstep through mobile veterinary unit (i) treatment (ii) vaccination (c) focus on veterinary public health and bio-security measures to prevent outbreak of zoonotic and trans boundary diseases III. Infrastructure development: (a) Modernization of livestock farms and sheds (b) improvement of water management systems (c) establishment of veterinary hospitals and diagnostic labs in inaccessible and tribal areas on an equitable basis and according to livestock population IV. Technology adoption: (a) digitalisationof reporting and office management (b) digital management of livestock production (b) application of artificial intelligence at strategic levels and data analysis (c) block chain and traceability (d) Internet of Things (IoT) applications V. Extension Services: (a) Digital extension platforms (b) Farmer outreach )b) education , demonstration and training VI. Policy Support: (a) National Livestock Policy (b) Animal Welfare Act (c) Disease control & surveillance (d) quality control and standards (i) certification of animal food for human consumption by qualified veterinarian VII. Private Sector Participation: (a) Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) mode (b) joint ventures and collaborations (c) Private sector investments VIII. Research and Development (R & D) (a) genetic and genomics research (b) animal health and disease management (c) nutrition and feed technology IX. Skill Development: (a) training programs for farmers and veterinarians (b) capacity building for livestock extension workers X. Investment Requirements: (a) Government funding: ₹50,000 crores (approximately $6.7 billion USD) (b) Private sector investment: ₹1,00,000 crores (approximately $13.4 billion USD) – total investment: Rs.1,50,000 crores (approximately $20.1 billion USD).
Hopefully by implementation of these strategies, India can significantly increase livestock production, improve farmer livelihoods, and contribute to the country’s economic growth.
