Animal Husbandry and Animal Welfare Awareness Month celebration by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, has been extended until 13^th March 2025 in its inaugural year to maximize outreach and impact. This initiative was started from 14^th January 2025 wherein nationwide activities were organised by the department of animal husbandry and dairying in association with state animal husbandry and welfare departments that was earlier slated till 13^th February 2025. In order to further promote and give boost to ethical animal husbandry practices, animal health and welfare in India, the awareness campaign will now be continued till 13^th March 2025 across the country. To support the campaign, DAHD has also developed a dedicated dashboard for tracking and uploading all extension activities across the country. To mark the occasion, the Department organized an online webinar on 14th February, graced by the esteemed presence of Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel, Union Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, and Panchayati Raj. The webinar witnessed an overwhelming response, with over 23,000 participants, including representatives from State Animal Husbandry Departments, veterinarians, para-veterinarians, Pashu Sakhis, farmers, and livestock rearers, joining via YouTube and Webex platforms.

Addressing the participants, Prof. Baghel highlighted the critical role of the livestock sector in food security, employment generation, and economic growth. He emphasized that millions of farmers, especially in rural areas, depend on livestock for milk, meat, eggs, wool, and leather, as well as for manure to enrich crop production.  He highlighted that strengthening the livestock sector, directly contributes to rural prosperity and national economic resilience. Prof. Baghel reaffirmed the government’s commitment towards prioritizing animal husbandry within the rural development agenda, with DAHD working closely with State Animal Husbandry Departments to enhance livestock productivity, disease control, and the well-being of those engaged in the animal husbandry sector. He also emphasized the need to promote sustainable practices, improve animal care, and expand employment opportunities for farmers through various schemes and initiatives.

The Union Minister of State placed special focus on the use of sex-sorted semen, stating that this innovation will help address the issue of stray cattle by ensuring more female calf births. He expressed confidence that with this technology, every household could have three female calves within the next five years. Additionally, he stressed upon the importance of expanding Artificial Insemination coverage to boost productivity, encouraging the use of IVF techniques for rapid breed improvement, and ensuring 100 percent vaccination coverage. He reiterated the government's vision for an FMD-free India as part of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s goal for a disease-free livestock sector. He urged that knowledge of best animal husbandry practices and government schemes should reach even the most remote villages and pastoral communities.

In her address,  Smt. Alka Upadhyaya, Secretary, DAHD, emphasized that annual observance of this campaign will help stakeholders adopt and implement good animal husbandry practices, promoting sustainable livestock management with a strong focus on animal welfare, productivity, and environmental responsibility. She also highlighted key government initiatives in the sector, such as the Rashtriya Gokul Mission, National Livestock Mission, Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme and the ongoing Livestock Census.

As part of the campaign, States are actively organizing workshops and webinars to educate farmers and stakeholders, health and infertility camps to enhance livestock well-being, deworming and vaccination drives to prevent diseases, awareness camps, cattle exhibitions, and best livestock farmer awards. Photography, essay writing, and art competitions are being held in schools and colleges, while walkathons, dog shows, and horse shows have engaged the public to spread awareness about animal health and welfare. Television and radio broadcasts have promoted animal husbandry schemes, with pamphlets and brochures being distributed to improve public outreach.  The department is also undertaking social media campaigns to share best practices and the economic benefits of animal husbandry. The Animal Husbandry and Animal Welfare Awareness Month campaign is a major step towards empowering farmers, promoting scientific livestock management, and enhancing economic returns. By fostering widespread adoption of modern practices and government schemes, this initiative will play a crucial role in improving animal health, increasing productivity, and ultimately boosting farmers’ incomes.

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Aditi Agrawal

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