Role of Veterinarians & Livestock Sector for “Viksit Bharat@2047”
Dr. Megha Kaore
Assistant Professor
Department of Veterinary Pathology
Nagpur Veterinary College, Nagpur- 44006
Maharashtra Animal and Fishery Sciences University, Nagpur
Email: meghakaore7@gmail.com
Abstract:
Livestock play a vital role in India’s socio-economic development and are central to the government’s vision for Viksit Bharat 2047. Livestock provides food, employment, and income opportunities and supports sustainable agricultural practices. Veterinarians play a crucial role in providing good health care, early diagnosis of diseases, and food and nutritional security, thereby minimizing farmers’ losses. Veterinarians work to prevent animal cruelty, provide relief to suffering, and ensure animal welfare. Veterinarians can help address emerging issues like zoonotic diseases, antibiotic resistance, and climate change. Recently veterinarians have been involved in policymaking, economic development through livestock production and management in wildlife conservation, biomedical research, and the protection of the environment and biodiversity thus help nation building. Veterinarians possess a superior understanding of zoonotic pathogens and exhibit greater proficiency in diagnosing zoonoses and contributing for the diagnosis of these diseases and the welfare of mankind.
Keywords: Livestock, Veterinarians, food and nutritional security, zoonotic diseases
Introduction:
Viksit Bharat 2024 is the vision of the Indian Government to make India a developed nation by 2047 on its 100th anniversary of Independence. The four pillars of viksit Bharat are Yuva (Youth), Garib (Poor), Mahilayen (Women), and Annadata (Farmers). The expertise of veterinarians has the potential to make these four pillars stronger by employing youth in livestock stock sector. For the socio-economic development of our annadata farmers, veterinarians, and livestock play a central role in achieving the goal of Viksit Bharat @ 2047. In 2022-23, the livestock sector contributed 5.50% to India’s total GDP and 30.23% to the agricultural and allied sector’s GDP. Livestock contributed 16% to the income of small farm households as against an average of 14% for all rural households. The Gross Value Added (GVA) of livestock sector is about Rs. 12,27,766 crores.
Livestock is the primary source of income for more than 70% of rural households in India and also employs about 8.8 % of the population with a significant proportion being small and marginal farmers and landless laborers. Many women in rural areas keep small numbers of cows, sheep and goats, and backyard chickens which are the source of their livelihood, and livestock products like milk, meat, and eggs provide nutrition for their children. Livestock act as insurance for farmers during crop failures. Nothing goes to waste from livestock they provide food (milk, meat, eggs) fiber and skins (wool, hair, hides, and pelts), leather (high expert product), and manure. Bullocks are still used for various agricultural operations, especially in rural areas. Pack animals like camels, horses, donkeys, ponies, and mules are used to transport goods. The role of veterinarians in India’s Viksit Bharat@2047 agenda is to contribute to the development of the country’s livestock resources, provide food and national security prevent animal cruelty, and protect against the spread of disease.
Development of the country’s livestock resources:
The government of India promotes the conservation of indigenous germplasm of breeds of livestock, veterinarians play a crucial role in the conservation of these genetic resources in their natural environment which helps to maintain biodiversity.
Food and Nutritional Security:
Livestock products such as milk, meat, and eggs are rich in essential nutrients, playing a crucial role in combating malnutrition, especially among children and women. Global population
is rising exponentially so is the demand for food. The main critical aspect of meeting this demand is ensuring the health and well-being of livestock, which are essential sources of meat, dairy, and other animal-based products. The role of the veterinarian in the examination of farm animals with regular inspections of harvesting facilities and processing units in compliance with the food safety regulations, aids in creating a proper market for the purchase of animals and their products. By encouraging alternatives such as phytogenic feed additives, vaccination, improved hygiene, and enhanced biosecurity, veterinarians help to reduce the reliance on antibiotics, safeguarding animal health and the effectiveness of these vital drugs.
Enhancing protection against the spread of disease
Veterinarians are at the forefront of disease prevention and control in livestock populations. The most recent is the outbreak of lumpy skin disease (LSD) in cattle across various states of India. Veterinarians all over India worked hard to control the outbreak and save the lives of bovines. By implementing comprehensive vaccination programs, and developing biosecurity protocols, vets are helping to prevent the outbreak of diseases that can lead to a global food crisis and disrupt commercial interests. With the onset of high-impact contagious livestock and poultry diseases, vets are now at the forefront of guiding poultry farmers and livestock owners on the best herd health management practices and addressing crucial issues like nutrition, environmental sanitation, and even post-mortem inspections.
Veterinarians: the primary Animal Welfare Stakeholder
Ensuring animal welfare is an integral part of the veterinarian’s role, which involves housing conditions, and handling practices of the livestock. Modern veterinary professionals play a pivotal role in providing guidance on enhancing animal comfort, minimizing stress, and alleviating pain or suffering. To ensure ethical treatment of the livestock, vets are promoting humane practices, and spreading awareness on the same to eradicate cruel practices prevailing across the global livestock industry. Average annual productivity of cattle in India is 1777 kg/animal/year as against the world average of 2699 kg/animal/year (2019-20). Livestock nutrition has gained a new dimension with the introduction of advanced feed formulations and supplements. Today, vets work closely with nutritionists to optimize feed efficiency by participating in extensive drug research and development to support various aspects of animal healthcare.
Veterinarians: the great extension worker
Veterinarians can efficiently do the extension work and play a vital role in livestock health and development. They serve as the bridge between scientific knowledge and practical application on farms. Veterinarians guide the farmers in feed formulation, and vaccination practices which minimize the losses due to reduced productivity and mortality of animals thereby enhancing the income of farmers. In India, small and marginal livestock farmers and poultry owners are often deprived of the basic animal care measures and guide to mitigate an emergency. To eradicate this gap, farmers are now encouraged by the local government bodies to form guilds/local association that ties up with experienced vets for an interactive knowledge-sharing session. This is how vets are contributing to the promotion of the unorganized sector.
Conclusion:
The expertise of veterinarians in sustainable farming practices, animal welfare management, and disease control and prevention thereby enhancing the socio-economic status, and providing nutritional and food safety which ultimately help the nation to become Viksit Bharat@2047. By embracing research and innovation, they can offer cutting-edge treatments, preventive measures, and improved techniques for diagnosing and managing animal health
References:
- The Evolving Role of Veterinarians in Animal Welfare by Glamac
- Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) 2023. The Role of Livestock in Food Security and Nutrition
- Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare. (2023). Livestock Sector’s Role in India’s Development Goals.
- World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). (2023). One Health Approach in Veterinary Medicine.
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