Role of Veterinarians & Livestock sector for “Viksit Bharat @ 2047”

 Role of Veterinarians & Livestock sector for “Viksit Bharat @ 2047”

      NEELAM KALASUA*, OMPRAKASH SOLANKI

*PG Scholar , ICAR-IVRI , Mukteswar , Nainital- Uttarakhand

Email id – neelamkalasua1998@gmail.com

Introduction

Viksit Bharat @ 2047 is the vision to make India a developed nation by 2047, the 100th year of independence. The vision encompasses various aspects of development, including economic growth, social progress, environmental sustainability, and good governance. The Prime Minister emphasized about finding ways to make India a developed country at a faster pace and also identify specific sectors for improvement towards becoming a developed nation. India is the fastest growing country and more than 70 % population of India is earning from agricultural and livestock sector. The livestock sector, which encompasses animal husbandry, dairy, and fisheries, is crucial to the national economy and contributes significantly to the country’s socio-economic development.  About 30.5 million people depend upon livestock for their livelihood. It also plays a key role in the rural economy by providing additional income for families and creating employment opportunities, especially for landless laborers, small-scale farmers, and women in rural areas. Since gaining independence, India has witnessed significant economic growth and structural transformation, a process that gained momentum with the economic reforms introduced in 1991. These changes are also evident in the country’s livestock sector, which has experienced substantial growth, particularly since the late 1990s. Furthermore, there have been notable shifts in the patterns of livestock production in India. India’s livestock sector is one of the largest in the world. Livestock contributes 26% to the income of small farm households as against an average of 24% for all rural households. Livestock provides livelihood to two-third of rural community. It also provides employment to about 18.8 % of the population in India. India has vast livestock resources. Livestock sector contributes 4.11% to the GDP and 25.6% to total Agriculture GDP. Together with its allied activities, livestock provides milk and milk products, meat and meat products, and also constitutes a major supplier of food and food articles, raw materials, and finished products. The livestock sector is becoming an increasingly important and rapidly expanding part of India’s agri-food system, contributing 4.75% to the national income and 30.47% to the agricultural GDP (BAHS, 2023). Recently, India ranks 105^th out of 127 countries in the Global Hunger index (GHI) 2024 with a score of 27.3, highlighting a serious hunger crisis driven by ongoing challenges of food insecurity and malnutrition. Livestock can help reduce hunger by providing nutritious food, such as meat , milk, and eggs. Animal source protein can have a positive impact on the health and development of children .

Veterinarians play a crucial role in this sector, serving both as livestock caretakers and consultants. They make a significant impact on public health, animal welfare, and overall animal health.

India has one of the largest livestock populations in the world, with the sector playing a crucial role in the country’s rural economy and overall agricultural landscape. Small and marginal farmers own more than 70% of the country’s livestock and backyard poultry, with around three-fourths of India’s milk production coming from economically weaker sections of society. The vast animal genetic diversity is critical for ensuring food security and overall development of the country (Sunderland, 2011).

Here’s an overview of India’s livestock status:

Present Status of Livestock Population

India is: –

• 1^st in the total buffalo and cattle population in the world.
• 2^nd in the population of goats.
• 3^rdin the population of sheep (72 million).
• 4^th in the population of ducks and chicken.
• 9^thin camel population in the world. (Source: GOI, 20th livestock census)

Contribution of livestock/ livestock sector in Indian economy

• GDP Contribution: The livestock sector contributes around 5.7% to India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) at current prices, which is significant for rural economies and livelihoods.
• Employment: The sector provides employment to about 8-10% of India’s total workforce, with millions of farmers, herders, and workers involved in raising, feeding, breeding, and marketing livestock products.
• Milk Production:India is the world’s largest producer of milk, contributing about 22% of the global milk production. The country’s milk production stands at over 200 million metric tons annually, and milk is the primary source of nutrition for millions of people. The majority of milk is produced by small and marginal farmers, particularly in rural and semi-rural areas. Around 70-75% of the milk is produced by small-scale dairy farmers, often in the form of backyard or local dairies. In India, the dairy sector is vital, producing 176.4 million tonnes of milk, accounting for about 20% of global milk production, and supporting 7 crore rural families.
• Meat: India is also a major producer of meat, particularly goat meat (chevon) and chicken. It is the world’s largest exporter of beef (buffalo meat).
• Eggs: India is one of the largest producers of eggs globally, contributing around 10% to world egg production. Poultry farming, particularly egg production, has seen rapid growth in recent decades.India also contributes 3% of the world’s meat production, with egg production reaching 114.38 billion in 2019-20.
• Animal by- products: The livestock sector not only provides essential proteins and nutrients but also plays a key role in the utilization of non-edible agricultural by-products. It generates valuable raw materials such as hides, skin, blood, bones, wool, hair, and fat. Among these, leather is the most significant by-product, with considerable export potential and various uses both domestically and internationally. In 2018-2019, India produced 40.42 million kg of wool.
• Socio economic security and women empowerment:Women constitute about 70 per cent of the labour force in livestock farming. Rural women play a key role in animal husbandry and are responsible for many of the tasks related to feeding, breeding, managing and maintaining animal health. The major share of the credit for India’s position as largest milk producing country in the world and a significant increase in the per capita availability of milk in the country goes to rural women dairy farmers. The rapidly growing demand for livestock products creates opportunities for women’s empowerment (Singh et al., 2020).

Challenges Faced by the Sector

• Disease Management: The livestock sector faces challenges related to animal diseases such as Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), Lumpi skin disease, Brucellosis, and Avian Influenza. Effective animal health management is critical to prevent outbreaks and maintain productivity.
• Feed and Fodder: Availability of quality feed and fodder remains a challenge, especially in drought-prone and arid regions. This affects animal growth, milk yield, and overall productivity.
• Climate Change: Changing weather patterns, including irregular rainfall and rising temperatures, are negatively affecting livestock productivity and grazing patterns.
• Lack of Infrastructure: Despite its importance, rural India still suffers from limited veterinary care facilities, inadequate cold storage and transportation systems for perishable products, and a lack of access to modern farming practices.

By addressing these challenges veterinarian and livestock sector definitely going to contribute in formation of viksit bharat.

Government policy: The government of India has launched a number of initiatives to provide financial assistance to veterinarians and livestock farmers. These initiatives include:

• National Livestock Mission: This mission provides funding for a variety of initiatives, including financial assistance to veterinarians and livestock farmers for the purchase of livestock, construction of livestock sheds, purchase of feed and fodder, and treatment of diseases.
• Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY): This scheme provides funding to state governments for a variety of agricultural development initiatives, including financial assistance to veterinarians and livestock farmers.
• Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN): This scheme provides direct income support to small and marginal farmers, including livestock farmers.

Future Outlook

• Increasing Demand: The demand for livestock products, particularly milk, meat, and eggs, is expected to grow with increasing population, rising incomes, and urbanization. India’s middle class is expanding, and with it, the consumption of animal-based products is on the rise.
• Value-Added Products: The growth of value-added products such as cheese, yogurt, processed meats, and leather goods presents new opportunities for the livestock sector.

Veterinarian role in viksit bharat

The veterinary profession in India has a critical role to play in the transformation of animal production, especially in the context of the country’s vast rural landscape.With approximately 70 million rural households owning livestock.

• Animal healthcare: It is crucial for maintaining the well-being and productivity of livestock. It involves various practices aimed at preventing, diagnosing, and treating diseases in animals, ensuring they remain healthy and disease-free. Effective animal health management improves the overall productivity of the livestock sector, contributes to food security, and supports the livelihoods of farmers. It includes vaccination programs, disease surveillance, proper nutrition, hygiene, and veterinary care, all of which help reduce the risk of disease transmission to both animals and humans. Healthy animals are more productive, leading to better outcomes in terms of milk, meat, and other animal-based products. Moreover, a strong animal health infrastructure supports rural economies by enhancing the sustainability of farming and livestock system
• Strengthening the capabilities of livestock farmers: It involves providing them with the resources, knowledge, and support they need to improve their productivity and livelihoods. This can include access to better veterinary care, modern farming techniques, training in animal husbandry, and financial services such as credit or insurance. By enhancing their skills and offering access to technology, markets, and government support programs, livestock farmers can increase their income, improve the health and productivity of their animals, and achieve greater economic stability. Empowering these farmers also involves fostering self-reliance, encouraging sustainable practices, and helping them navigate challenges like climate change and market fluctuations, ultimately contributing to the overall growth of the rural economy.
• Contribution in One health : They play a major role in prevention and control of zoonotic diseases, emerging and re-emerging diseases, contagious and communicable diseases by ensuring their role in optimal healthcare of animals.

Veterinarians help farmers implement selective breeding programs to enhance the genetic potential of dairy animals, leading to increased milk production. They also train local AI technicians and paravets in breeding techniques and make decisions regarding breed selection for artificial insemination (AI) to support upgrading or crossbreeding initiatives.

To meet the growing demand for quality animal health and husbandry practices, India’s veterinary profession must evolve into a specialized, robust, and comprehensive system capable of addressing both animal welfare and productivity challenges. There are several key areas where focus and improvement are needed:

1. Skill Development and Training: As the livestock sector grows, there’s a rising need for skilled veterinarians and trained para-veterinary staff, with continuous education in emerging diseases and advanced practices. Specialized training programs for women, the majority workforce in this sector, can enhance productivity and empowerment at the grassroots level.
2. Research and Innovation: India needs to boost research in animal genetics, nutrition, disease management, and biosecurity, focusing on localized solutions for small-scale farmers. Investing in veterinary science research will drive innovation, improve animal production, and enhance food security. Improved access to veterinary services for rural farmers can be achieved through mobile clinics, telemedicine, and community-level training. Public-private partnerships can expand preventive care and routine health checks to underserved areas.

• Animal Disease Surveillance and Control: Emerging diseases like Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), brucellosis, and avian influenza pose a significant threat to livestock health and productivity. Strengthening veterinary infrastructure to monitor, detect, and control these diseases is critical.

Collaborative efforts between government bodies, research institutions, and international organizations are crucial for better disease surveillance and control systems.

1. Animal Welfare and Ethical Practices:Veterinary professionals must also champion animal welfare, ensuring that ethical treatment, humane practices, and the prevention of cruelty are at the core of animal production systems. This includes reducing animal suffering during transport, slaughter, and other intensive farming practices.
2. Government Policies and Support: The Indian government should consider policies that enhance veterinary education, provide financial support for veterinary infrastructure, and promote research and development in veterinary science.

• Incentivizing the private sector to engage in veterinary services in rural areas can be another approach to addressing gaps in access and quality of services.

1. Women’s Empowerment in Veterinary Medicine: Considering that 69% of the workforce in the livestock sectoris made up of women, it is essential to invest in programs that enable women to take leadership roles in veterinary services and decision-making. This includes creating more educational opportunities for women in veterinary science and supporting them through microfinancing, training, and networking opportunities. And also “Most of the animal husbandry practices like fodder cutting, transportation of fodder, off ering water and fodder to the animal health care, milking, and cleaning of sheds were done by the women farmers.

• Veterinary research contributions: Veterinary colleges should focus on building networks for projects that highlight the expanded roles of the veterinary profession, especially in areas like One Health, rural welfare, and integrated extension services. Research in India should prioritize evidence-based, unbiased, and impactful studies, avoiding low-quality publications. Funding should be allocated based on research quality and relevance, with a clear, cohesive focus on societal needs and veterinary advancements (NIMMANAPALLI AND DONAPATY, 2016)
• Lack of manpower: There is a scarcity of veterinarians who stand for animal welfare, protect them from diseases and injuries, etc., and give technical advice to livestock farmers. India needs 72,000 working graduate veterinarians, but the current availability is approximately 43,000 (OIE, 2015). In addition to this, small-scale animal husbandry is prevalent in India, in which farm women play a major role.

Conclusion

The veterinary profession in India holds immense potential to drive a transformative shift in animal production. By prioritizing capacity building in veterinary services, enhancing research, and focusing on the empowerment of rural women workers, the profession can contribute significantly to the development of sustainable livestock systems and the broader agricultural economy. India has a unique opportunity to position itself as a leader in veterinary care and animal husbandry on the global stage, provided there is a concerted effort from both the public and private sectors to invest in the profession’s growth and reach. Additionally, India’s livestock sector also crucial to the country’s rural economy, providing food, income, and employment for millions. Despite facing challenges such as disease outbreaks, feed shortages, and climate impacts, the sector is expected to continue growing due to rising domestic demand and expanding export opportunities.With continued investment in infrastructure, animal health, and farmer support programs, India’s livestock industry is poised to remain a key driver of rural development and food security.

References

Arya, D. and Singh, S.J., 2020. Livestock Contribution to the Indian economy. Ind. Farmer, 7(6), pp.510-514.

GOI. 20th Livestock Census-2019. Department of Animal Husbandry Dairying and Fisheries. New Delhi: Ministry of Agriculture.

Khillare, R.S. and Kaushal, M., 2021. Role of livestock sector in Indian economy. Agrimeet e magazine, 1(11), pp.1-6.

Nimmanapalli, R. and Donapaty, S.R., 2016. Current opinion on maximizing veterinary profession growth and contributions. The Indian Journal of Animal Sciences, 86(9), pp.977-984.

Singh, K., Singh, R., Jadoun, Y.S., Deshmukh, B. and Kansal, S.K., 2020. Role of livestock in Indian economy-a review. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences, 9(8), pp.432-436.

Sunderland, T.C., 2011. Food security: why is biodiversity important?. International Forestry Review, 13(3), pp.265-274.

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