From Pastures to Prosperity: Veterinarians driving India’s livestock sector towards Viksit Bharat, 2047
Dr. P. Shivakumar, Assistant Professor (Acad. Level 12), Department of Veterinary Pharmacology & Toxicology, College of Veterinary Science, Mamnoor, Warangal-506 166
Mobile: 9490567030; Email: drshiva40@gmail.com
Abstract:
Preparedness of veterinarians and livestock sector for India @2047 (a developed nation) It shows its economic significance to the sector by contributing 4.11% of national GDP and employing about 8.8% people in this work area. The abstract describes the primary problems of low productivity, poor health infrastructure and climate stress. It also reinforces the essential work being done by veterinarians to improve animal health, ensure food safety and national biosecurity outcomes, facilitate sustainability measures in protecting our agricultural industries from exotic pests and diseases of plants animals; underpinning global market access opportunities on which Australia relies; enabling advanced technology solutions that support productivity growth for a competitive industry advantage domestically while promoting export potential globally as well as contributing actively to research. The abstract ends by highlighting Salient challenges and Recommendations which include strengthening of Surveillance, Infrastructure development & human resources augmentation; implementation the WHOs Pandemic supply chain strategy recommendations across underdeveloped country like INDIA. This exhaustive review highlights the importance of livestock sector in attaining India’s development goals and underscores that Veterinarians have a significant role to play.
Keywords: Livestock sector, Viksit Bharat of India, Animal health and food safety; Sustainable animal production; Rural empowerment
It advocates the ambitious goal of making India a developed nation by 2047, named as Viksit Bharat@2047 and different sectors are covered under it (Makwana & Marvadi, 2024). The livestock sector plays a key role in achieving sustainable development, especially food security and rural economy. Veterinarians, as stewards of animal health and welfare have a central role in achieving this vision. The importance of the livestock sector is not confined to economic terms only, but it has a socio-cultural dimension also — which makes it an inevitable part in transforming India as a developed nation.
The Current Landscape
India has the world’s largest livestock holdings, with more than 535 million animals playing a crucial role in Indian economy (Sonavale et al., 2020). It contributes around 4.11% to National GDP and 25.6 % of total Agricultural productiveness in the country It also, employs around 8.8% of the total workforce in the country more concentrated towards rural (Tripathy,2022). This great animal wealth includes cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats and pigs of various species as well as poultry which plays an important role in agricultural ecosystem and rural economy.
The livestock sector’s importance is multifaceted:
- Economic Contribution:Beyond its direct GDP contribution, the sector supports allied industries such as leather, meat processing, and dairy products manufacturing.
- Food Security:It is a primary source of high-quality protein, essential for addressing malnutrition and ensuring nutritional security.
- Rural Livelihood:For millions of small and marginal farmers, livestock serve as a crucial source of additional income and a buffer against crop failure.
- Cultural Significance:Many livestock species have important cultural and religious significance in various Indian communities.
However, this sector faces numerous challenges, including
- Low Productivity:Despite having the world’s largest livestock population, productivity per animal remains low compared to global standards (Nirmala et al.,2023).
- Inadequate Healthcare Infrastructure:Many rural areas lack access to quality veterinary services and modern diagnostic facilities.
- Feed and Fodder Scarcity:Insufficient and poor-quality feed affects animal health and productivity.
- Climate Change Impact:Increasing temperatures and erratic weather patterns pose threats to animal health and productivity.
- Market Access:Small-scale producers often struggle with market access and fair pricing of their products.
- Genetic Improvement:There is a need for more focused breeding programs to enhance the genetic potential of indigenous breeds.
Addressing these issues is crucial for achieving the goals of Viksit Bharat@2047 and unlocking the full potential of the livestock sector.
The Role of Veterinarians in shaping Viksit Bharat
- Ensuring Food safety and public health
As India progresses towards a developed nation status, food safety becomes increasingly important. Veterinarians play a crucial role in maintaining the safety of foods of animal origin, preventing zoonotic diseases, and ensuring judicious use of antibiotics in livestock. Their expertise is vital in several areas.
– Meat Inspection: Ensuring that meat products are free from diseases and safe for human consumption.
– Dairy Hygiene: Implementing protocols for clean milk production and processing to prevent contamination and ensure quality.
Zoonosis Control: Monitoring and controlling diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans, such as brucellosis, tuberculosis, and avian influenza.
– Antibiotic Stewardship: Promoting responsible use of antibiotics in livestock to combat antimicrobial resistance, a growing global health concern.
– Residue Monitoring: Ensuring that animal products are free from harmful residues of drugs, pesticides, or environmental contaminants.
Their role in implementing farm-to-fork safety measures is essential for public health and international trade compliance, positioning India as a reliable source of safe animal products in the global market.
- Promoting sustainable livestock practices
Sustainability is a key aspect of Viksit Bharat@2047(Hamid et al., 2024). Veterinarians contribute by promoting environmentally friendly livestock management practices.
Resource Efficiency: Advising efficient use of water, land, and feed resources to minimise environmental impact.
Waste Management: Developing strategies for proper disposal and utilisation of animal waste, including biogas production and organic fertiliser preparation.
Carbon Footprint Reduction: Implementing practices to reduce methane emissions from ruminants through improved feed management and genetic selection.
Biodiversity Conservation: Promoting the conservation and sustainable use of indigenous livestock breeds, which are often more resilient and adapted to local conditions.
Agroforestry Integration: Encouraging silvopastoral systems that combine trees, forage, and livestock, enhancing land use efficiency and environmental benefits.
Their role in balancing productivity with environmental conservation is crucial for long-term sustainability and aligns with global efforts to combat climate change.
- Driving technological advancements
The path to developed India involves embracing cutting-edge technologies. Veterinarians are instrumental in the introduction and implementation of advanced technologies in the livestock sector.
-Precision Livestock Farming: Utilising sensors, IoT devices, and data analytics to monitor animal health, behaviour, and productivity in real-time (Egon & Oloyede, 2023).
– Genetic Improvements: Applying genomic selection and gene editing techniques to enhance desirable traits in livestock breeds.
Telemedicine: Leveraging digital platforms to provide remote veterinary consultations, especially beneficial for farmers in remote areas.
– Artificial Intelligence in Diagnostics: Employing AI-powered systems for early disease detection and prediction of outbreaks.
– Blockchain in Supply Chain: Implementing blockchain technology for traceability in the livestock product supply chain, enhancing food safety and consumer trust.
– 3D Printing in Veterinary Medicine: Using 3D printing technology to create prosthetics, surgical guides, and anatomical models for veterinary education and practice (Klasen et al., 2022).
By embracing these technologies, veterinarians can significantly enhance the efficiency and productivity of the livestock sector, propelling it into the future, as envisioned by Viksit Bharat@2047.
- Strengthening rural economy and livelihoods
The livestock sector is a significant source of income for rural households, particularly for small and marginal farmers. Through their services and knowledge dissemination, veterinarians play a vital role in improving the economic status of these communities:
Income Enhancement: By improving animal health and productivity, veterinarians directly contribute to increasing the income of livestock farmers.
Entrepreneurship Promotion: Encouraging and supporting farmers in value-addition activities, such as dairy processing, meat products, and leather goods.
Women Empowerment: Supporting women-led livestock enterprises, as women play a significant role in animal husbandry in rural India.
Financial Inclusion: Assisting farmers in accessing credit and insurance services related to livestock and reducing their financial vulnerability.
Skill Development: Conducting training programs to enhance the technical skills of farmers in modern animal husbandry practices.
By enhancing animal health and productivity, they directly contribute to increasing rural income and reducing poverty, aligning with the goals of Viksit Bharat.
- Enhancing export potential
As India aims to become a global economic powerhouse by 2047, increasing exports is crucial. Veterinarians are key to ensuring that Indian livestock products meet international standards, thereby boosting the country’s export potential.
Quality Assurance: Implementing rigorous quality control measures to meet international food safety standards.
Disease-Free Zones: Establishing and maintaining disease-free zones to facilitate exports of live animals and animal products.
Certification: Providing necessary health certifications required for international trade in livestock and livestock products.
Compliance with Global Standards: Ensuring adherence to OIE (World Organisation for Animal Health) guidelines and other international norms.
Value Addition: Advising on processing and packaging techniques to enhance the value and shelf life of export products.
Their roles in disease control, quality assurance, and certification are essential for accessing global markets and positioning India as a reliable exporter of high-quality animal products.
- Research and Innovation
Continuous research and innovation are vital for the growth of any sector. Veterinary scientists have contributed significantly to developing new vaccines, improving animal breeds, and finding solutions to emerging challenges in animal health and production.
-Vaccine Development: Researching and developing new vaccines against emerging and re-emerging livestock diseases.
-Breed Improvement: Conducting genetic studies to develop breeds that are more productive, disease-resistant, and adaptable to changing climatic conditions.
-Feed Innovation: Researching alternative feed resources and feed additives to improve nutrition and reduce dependency on traditional feed sources.
-Disease Diagnostics: Developing rapid and accurate diagnostic tools for early detection of livestock diseases.
-Climate Change Adaptation: Studying the impact of climate change on livestock and developing adaptation strategies.
– One Health Research: Investigating the interconnections between animal, human, and environmental health to address complex health challenges.
Their research efforts are crucial for keeping India at the forefront of global advancements in animal science and ensuring the livestock sector’s resilience and competitiveness.
Challenges and the Way Forward
While the potential of the livestock sector and the role of veterinarians in Viksit Bharat are immense, several challenges need to be addressed:
- Infrastructure Development:There is a need for substantial investment in veterinary infrastructure, including:
– Modern diagnostic facilities equipped with advanced technologies.
– Mobile veterinary units to reach remote areas.
– Well-equipped animal hospitals and clinics in rural areas.
– Cold chain facilities for vaccine and medicine storage and distribution.
- Human Resource Development:Increasing the number of skilled veterinarians and para-veterinary staff is crucial. This involves:
– Expanding and upgrading veterinary education facilities.
– Introducing specialized courses in emerging areas like precision livestock farming and veterinary biotechnology.
– Ensuring continuous professional development through regular training programs.
– Improving the veterinarian-to-livestock ratio, especially in underserved areas.
- Technology Adoption:Encouraging the adoption of modern technologies among farmers and providing them with the necessary training and support. This includes:
– Developing user-friendly mobile applications for livestock management.
– Providing subsidies or incentives for adopting precision farming technologies.
– Establishing demonstration farms to showcase the benefits of modern technologies.
– Collaborating with tech companies to develop tailored solutions for the Indian livestock sector.
- Policy Support:Implementing supportive policies that recognize the importance of the livestock sector and the veterinary profession in national development:
– Increasing budgetary allocation for the livestock sector.
– Implementing policies to attract and retain veterinary professionals in rural areas.
– Developing a comprehensive national livestock health policy.
– Streamlining regulations related to veterinary drug approvals and animal product exports.
- One Health Approach:Promoting a One Health approach that recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health:
– Establishing interdisciplinary research centers focusing on One Health.
– Integrating One Health concepts into veterinary and medical education curricula.
– Developing collaborative frameworks between human health, animal health, and environmental agencies.
– Implementing joint surveillance programs for zoonotic diseases.
- Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation:Developing strategies to address the impact of climate change on livestock:
– Researching heat-tolerant breeds and climate-resilient farming practices.
– Implementing water conservation and management strategies in livestock farming.
– Promoting agroforestry and silvopastoral systems to enhance carbon sequestration.
– Developing early warning systems for climate-related livestock health risks.
- Market Linkages and Value Chain Development:Strengthening the connection between producers and markets:
– Establishing farmer producer organizations to enhance bargaining power.
– Developing cold chain infrastructure for perishable animal products.
– Promoting e-commerce platforms for direct marketing of livestock products.
– Encouraging public-private partnerships in livestock product processing and marketing.
- Biodiversity Conservation:Balancing productivity improvements with the conservation of indigenous livestock breeds:
– Establishing gene banks for indigenous breeds.
– Implementing in-situ conservation programs for threatened livestock breeds.
– Developing niche markets for products from indigenous breeds.
– Integrating indigenous breed conservation into national breeding policies.
Conclusion
The role of veterinarians and the livestock sector in realizing the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047 cannot be overstated. As custodians of animal health and welfare, veterinarians are pivotal in enhancing productivity, ensuring food safety, promoting sustainability, and driving technological advancements in the sector. Their contributions extend beyond animal care to significantly impact rural livelihoods, public health, and the national economy.
The livestock sector, with its vast potential, stands as a cornerstone in India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation. It not only contributes to economic growth but also plays a crucial role in ensuring food security, providing employment, and sustaining rural livelihoods. The sector’s multifaceted impact on socio-economic development makes it an indispensable component of the Viksit Bharat vision.
To fully harness the potential of this sector, it is imperative that policymakers, industry stakeholders, and the veterinary community work in tandem. Investments in infrastructure, human resources, and technology, coupled with supportive policies, will be key to transforming the livestock sector into a powerhouse that propels India towards its goal of becoming a developed nation by 2047.
The path forward requires a holistic approach that addresses the challenges while capitalizing on the opportunities. This includes embracing technological innovations, promoting sustainable practices, strengthening research and development, and fostering collaborations between various stakeholders. By doing so, India can create a robust, efficient, and sustainable livestock sector that not only meets domestic needs but also positions the country as a global leader in animal husbandry and veterinary science.
As we move towards Viksit Bharat, the veterinary profession stands ready to play its part in shaping a prosperous, healthy, and sustainable future for India. The synergy between veterinary science, animal husbandry, and national development goals will be crucial in realizing the vision of a developed India by 2047. With concerted efforts and strategic investments, the livestock sector, guided by skilled veterinarians, can become a driving force in India’s transformation into a global economic powerhouse, ensuring food security, rural prosperity, and sustainable growth for generations to come.
References
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