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

India needs stronger veterinary infrastructure and skilled professionals to support its rural economy, Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying S P Singh Baghel said on Saturday.
Speaking at a national workshop on the occasion of World Veterinary Day, Baghel described veterinarians as “the backbone of the rural economy” and called for greater collaboration among veterinary professionals, scientists, and public health experts to ensure an integrated health approach, according to an official statement as reported by news agency PTI.
India is home to over 536 million livestock, the largest in the world, with nearly 70 per cent of rural households depending on animals for income, food, and livelihood security, he said.
The minister emphasized the importance of indigenous livestock breeds, well-suited to local climate conditions and essential for sustainable agricultural systems. He also advocated for the adoption of advanced reproductive technologies like sex-sorted semen and in vitro fertilization (IVF) to boost animal productivity.
Baghel also highlighted digital efforts such as the National Digital Livestock Mission for real-time disease monitoring and reaffirmed India’s commitment to the One Health approach to combat zoonotic diseases.
Animal Husbandry Secretary Alka Upadhyaya called for “a comprehensive overhaul” of the country’s veterinary ecosystem, pointing to a severe shortage of veterinary professionals, despite significant progress in technologies like IVF and cattle immunization.
FAO Assistant Director-General Thanawat Tiensin, speaking virtually from Rome, praised India’s leadership in global One Health initiatives and its recent recognition under the Pandemic Fund for Animal Health Preparedness.
The theme for World Veterinary Day 2025 is “Animal Health Takes a Team”, underscoring the need for joint efforts by veterinarians, scientists, public health experts, and farmers.