ROLE OF VETERINARIAN IN EMPOWERMENT OF RURAL INDIA
Dr Trupti S. K. And Dr Annarao P.
Veterinary officer, Dept of AH and VS Kalaburgi, Govt of Karnataka
Veterinary extension officer, Dept of AH and VS Kalaburgi, Govt of Karnataka
India is farmer based country since ancient time. Farmers are the pillar of agricultural activities and Livestock are the backbone for farmers. The livestock is aid and supporter for the farmer for daily livelihood. They provide draught power, milk, meat, wool, hide, skin, manure and eggs to farmers. Since ancient times, Indian ranchers are dependent on the livestock in many aspects such as cattle and buffaloes for milk purpose, bulls work under the farming as well as breeding and draft purpose. Sheep and goats farming rear for the wool, manure and meat purposes. Backyard poultry in countryside areas rear for the egg and meat production. The livestock production plays major importance for the economy, health of the farmers. In Indian economy, animal husbandry contributes GDP per year. Many young youth and unemployed persons are doing animal husbandry activities with the proper guidelines of the Veterinarian for their livelihood and employment.
Veterinarians play a vital role in empowering rural India by ensuring the well-being of livestock, which is often the backbone of rural economies. Now Veterinarian plays a major role by giving awareness and technical support to the farmers to improve income from livestock production. The Veterinarian not only involve in the treatment and health aspect but also educate the farmers for scientific farming activities which will help the farmer to increase income as well as health status of the family
Some of the important activities which are for the benefit of rural employment generation in rural part are as follows…
Training programmes for rural women and youth
This type of training programmes are conducted in collaboration with KVK, NGOs, rural development agencies, farmers training institutes etc to create awareness and self employment generation activities to rural women and youth. Dairy farming, calf rearing, Sheep farming, goat farming, backyard poultry farming, milk and milk products preservation and marketing like interested need based subjects are teaches in the local languages after that field visit will be done for the practical demonstration of farming activities.
Camps
Many camps such as animal health camp, fertility camps such programmes done by the Veterinarian every year. The intension of these camps to encourage the farmer for animal husbandry programme. In these camps, Deworming and mineral mixture distribution given to the farmers. In fertility camps, pregnancy diagnosis should done and treatment for repeat breeder or reproduction problem. Some of the C section, other surgery conduction with the help of specialist during these camps and Castration done in male animals. In health camps, general check of the animals and treatment will be given to unhealthy animals. Deworming, vaccination and solutions of some problems related to animals. Minor and major surgeries conduct and done by specialist.
Awareness speech by veterinarian in school and colleges
The speech given by veterinarian to students includes the awareness about deadly zoonotic diseases like Rabies, Leptospirosis, Anthrax, Tuberculosis, Q-fever and importance of animal farming in rural area as an income generating and employment generating activity. It will be a very effective communication. Veterinarian wil celebrates Zoonosis day, Rabies day and Veterinary day by giving awareness speeches in the School and Colleges.
Demonstration type of training method:
The Veterinarian can demonstrate many activities in scientific ways to the farmers such as sheep wool shearing with machine, fodder cultivation, hydroponic fodder growing demonstration, dipping method in sheep and goats for the control of external parasites. Hygienic and clean milk production practices in cattle and buffaloes. These will help the farmer for proper knowledge and rearing the animals and growing fodder in efficient ways. By this way animals will be healthy and having good body score. By this way one can save the money for unnecessary wastage and earn in proper scientific method and increase the quality and quantity of milk, meat of the animals.
Kisan sampark sabha and gram sabha :
In this type of programmes Veterinarian will interact with farmers and discuss with various issues including different schemes, facilities which are for farmers from the State and Union Government which are relates to animal husbandry activities. The Veterinarian can also discuss about the zoonotic importance, proper hygiene, contagious origin disease outbreak such as FMD, lumpy skin disease. Control measures of disease outbreak and day to day problems in the managemental aspects of animal husbandry.
Artificial insemination:
This is one of the major and important role of every Veterinarian to enhance the production and reproduction of the animals intern increase income of the farmer. Veterinarian not only the treatment aspect but the productive work such as insemination program should be done. Nowadays the National Artificial Insemination Program(NAIP) started throughout the country. Main moto of this program are the upgrade the local non dispcricattle and buffaloes Insemination with semen straws Gir, sahiwal, tharperkar and Murrah breeds. It will give the upgrade breeds in rural areas which will help the farmer to increase a source of asset by calves or milk production in future days.
Genetics and Breeding: Veterinarians can advise on selective breeding to improve livestock genetics for better productivity. The use of artificial insemination and advanced reproductive technologies can be recommended.
Mass media:
- Radio talk: The Veterinarian can give the radio talk on many subjects as a subject specialist which will help the farmer as a source of information such as scientific way of sheep and goat rearing, disease outbreak, seasonal care and management of livestock and control measures during disease at particular area. Some of Radio programmes are very much famous from audians and it is also a very effective way of communication which reaches large number of audians in short period. Veterinarians attend regularly to radio talks and talks on various issues related to animal husbandry farming and farm related issues.
- Television show: The television especially doordarshan programme by Veterinarian to share the knowledge about the scientific rearing of animals, message relate to seasonal livestock management, dairy farming, sheep and goats farming, backyard poultry rearing for small scale farmer. In large scale farmer, layer and broilers rearing demonetarisation and solve the problem related animals rearing and health related issues.
- Article on local magazine, social media: Many Veterinarian writing there experience and specific disease, rearing, feeding habits etc which will be printed in regular magazine and read by many farmer which one can inspire newly educated farmers to rear the livestock. The livestock farmer take care the precautions for diseases and maintain the hygienic conditions which is written in the local language magazine by the expert of the Veterinarian.
Livestock insurance:
It is one of most important work for the animals and to save the animal owner from the huge loss occur due to the death of the animals which may be due to accidental cause such as snake bite or natural calamities such as lighting stroke, floods and per acute diseases. Veterinarian educate the people for insured their animals for such conditions. Ear tagging compulsory for the animals for insurance and health and fitness certificate issued by the Veterinarian along with the premium amount and photos should be attached for further process.
Schemes:
In India, there are several government schemes and initiatives aimed at supporting farmers in livestock production. These schemes are designed to enhance the productivity of livestock, improve the livelihoods of farmers, and promote sustainable and responsible animal husbandry. Here are some schemes
- National Livestock Mission (NLM): This mission aims to ensure quantitative and qualitative improvement in livestock production and productivity. It provides support for breed improvement, feed and fodder development, and animal health services.
- Rashtriya Gokul Mission: The mission focuses on enhancing the genetic makeup and productivity of indigenous cattle breeds. It includes initiatives for breed improvement and conservation.
- Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY): While mainly focused on fisheries, this scheme also covers the development of the aquaculture sector, which can be integrated with livestock farming.
- National Mission on Bovine Productivity (NMBP): This mission aims to enhance milk production and productivity in indigenous breeds of cattle. It includes programs for breed improvement and dairy infrastructure development.
- Mukhya Mantri Pashu Swasthya Bima Yojana: State governments like Rajasthan have introduced livestock health insurance schemes to protect farmers from financial losses due to animal diseases.
- Sub-Mission on Livestock Development: This initiative focuses on promoting animal husbandry practices, breed improvement, and disease control.
- Integrated Dairy Development Scheme (IDDS): This scheme encourages the establishment of dairy infrastructure, such as milk processing units and milk chilling centers, to support dairy farmers.
- Integrated Development of Small Ruminants and Rabbits (IDSRR): This program aims to boost the production of small ruminants like sheep and goats, and rabbits.
- Support to State Poultry Farms (Under NLM): It supports the establishment of state poultry farms, hatcheries, and training of farmers in poultry production.
- National Scheme on Welfare of Fishermen: While primarily directed at fisherfolk, this scheme can indirectly benefit farmers involved in aquaculture and integrated livestock-fish farming.
Food Security: Ensuring healthy livestock contributes to food security in rural areas, providing a consistent source of nutrition for families and reducing reliance on external food sources.
Calf rally
In calf rally, all calves in the particular village are bring to the particular point and from there based on characteristics of breeds, health status and age of breed and expert veterinarians will select the best calves based on morphological characters and prizes will be given to best one. In this deworming will be done to all calves. The main aim of this type of calf rally is to encourage the farmers for the rearing of calves and thereby increase in population of livestock in the villages. Calf rally organised by veterinarian in association with other agencies like Milk co-operative societies, village level co-operative societies, NGOs etc.
Emergency care: nowadays livestock farmers door step service provide by many govt schemes. I’m emergency critical condition Veterinarians visit the farmer home and treat the animal. Sometimes operations will be taken in owner house under the critical condition. Not only the critical condition like many vaccinations are conducted to door steps to the farmers.
Conclusion
Veterinarian are the key persons for livestock farmers. They contributes to society in terms of animal health care and animal welfare. Not only had health care but also in terms of various activities which are more related to economical importance and employment generation in rural areas. As the population of country growing fast the demand for the animal protein and animal bi-products is more and more. Farmers should encash the demand by involving appropriate farming activities which are more economical, agriculture friendly and easily marketable. Dedicated Veterinarian and hard working animal farmers can achieve more in the society and it is the best combination for the more achievement. Veterinarians are the promotor for the scientific livestock production.
Reference
- How to double the income of livestock farmers by Dr Annarao Patil Pashudhan Praharee.
- How to double the income of livestock farmers Dr Trupti Suryakant Kattimani Pashudhan Praharee.
- Wikipedia
