Indian Veterinary Association hails formation of  new Ministry of Animal Husbandry

Pashu Sandesh, 03 June 2019

Indian Veterinary Association (IVA) a National body of Vets of India and the Pashu Chikitsak Mahasangh (PCM) an apex body of the State Veterinary Service Associations has welcomed the decision of the PM Modi for the establishment of a separate Ministry for the Animal husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries. Earlier it was under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. Giriraj Singh the newly elected MP from Begusarai Bihar has been appointed as the First Cabinet Minister of the newly formed ministry. Dr Sanjeev Kumar Balayan who is a Vet himself and Pratap Chandra Sarangi are appointed as Minister of State.

IVA while hailing the decision of the Prime Minister has called this step as the visionary step by the Modi which has the potential of fulfilling the dream of doubling the Farmers income by 2022. The Government has recognised the importance of the Animal Husbandry sector in doubling the Farmers income while successfully integrating it with the Agricultural activities. As per IVA, a healthy animal will result in greater production which will automatically enhance the Farmers income. In the due process,s the role of Vets also takes the centre stage.

India has the largest livestock population in the world, the second largest population of Goats which form approximately 25% of the total Livestock. India is also the second largest poultry market in the World with the annual production of 63 Billion eggs. Indian Fishery is also growing at a rate of 7% annually. Considering the huge Animal Husbandry Sector and its potential contribution in the Indian Economy it was paramount that a separate Ministry should look after the ever-expanding and demanding Sector.

IVA  President Dr Chirantan Kadian further appreciates the step taken by the Government of the total coverage of Livestock population against Foot and Mouth Disease and Brucellosis. He also praised the Government for the introduction of combined Vaccine of FMD and HS on trial basis in Haryana and hoped for its implementation throughout the country with high-quality Vaccines.

IVA has also requested the Government of India o form a separate Indian Council of Veterinary Research (ICVR) to promote the quality research in Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Sciences which is presently managed by the Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR). 

IVA members met the newly appointed Cabinet Minister Giriraj Singh and while congratulating him expressed total dedicated commitment from All the Veterinary Doctors towards the fulfilment of the dream of PM Narendra Modi.