Stronger veterinary infrastructure key to rural economy progress: Union minister S P Singh Baghel

File photo- S P Singh Baghel (ANI)

India wants stronger veterinary infrastructure and expert professionals to help its rural economy, Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying S P Singh Baghel stated on Saturday.
Speaking at a nationwide workshop on the event of World Veterinary Day, Baghel described veterinarians as “the backbone of the rural economy” and known as for higher collaboration amongst veterinary professionals, scientists, and public well being consultants to guarantee an built-in well being method, in accordance to an official assertion as reported by information company PTI.
India is residence to over 536 million livestock, the biggest on this planet, with almost 70 per cent of rural households relying on animals for revenue, meals, and livelihood safety, he stated.
The minister emphasised the significance of indigenous livestock breeds, well-suited to native local weather situations and important for sustainable agricultural programs. He additionally advocated for the adoption of superior reproductive applied sciences like sex-sorted semen and in vitro fertilization (IVF) to enhance animal productiveness.
Baghel additionally highlighted digital efforts such because the National Digital Livestock Mission for real-time illness monitoring and reaffirmed India’s dedication to the One Health method to fight zoonotic illnesses.
Animal Husbandry Secretary Alka Upadhyaya known as for “a comprehensive overhaul” of the nation’s veterinary ecosystem, pointing to a extreme scarcity of veterinary professionals, regardless of important progress in applied sciences like IVF and cattle immunization.
FAO Assistant Director-General Thanawat Tiensin, talking just about from Rome, praised India’s management in world One Health initiatives and its current recognition below the Pandemic Fund for Animal Health Preparedness.
The theme for World Veterinary Day 2025 is “Animal Health Takes a Team”, underscoring the necessity for joint efforts by veterinarians, scientists, public well being consultants, and farmers.