The Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (DAHD), under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying in collaboration with the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), successfully organized the WOAH PVS-PPP (Performance of Veterinary Services-Public Private Partnership) Targeted Support Workshop from 11^th to 13^th February 2025 in New Delhi. The workshop aimed to strengthen the veterinary services through public-private partnerships (PPP) in areas such as vaccine platforms, veterinary workforce development, institutional infrastructure, and the creation of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD)-Free Zones.

The discussions centered on bridging the critical gaps in veterinary services in India through structured PPP engagement, with emphasis on:

• Expanding veterinary infrastructure, including the establishment of NABL-accredited veterinary laboratories at the district level.
• Strengthening disease control programs through enhanced surveillance and FMD-Free Zone development.
• Building veterinary workforce capacity through structured training and knowledge-sharing platforms.
• Strengthening self-reliance in veterinary vaccine production by developing a robust vaccine value chain.
• Defining a comprehensive PPP policy framework to integrate private sector expertise in veterinary research, diagnostics, and extension services.

Ms. Alka Upadhyaya, Secretary, DAHD, highlighted the critical role of veterinary services in supporting the livestock sector, which contributes over 30% to India’s Agricultural Gross Value Added (GVA). She underscored the need for establishing veterinary laboratories with NABL accreditation and emphasized that private sector collaboration is essential for disease surveillance, workforce capacity, and vaccine production. “This workshop has created a platform for structured PPP engagement in veterinary services. The discussions will contribute to a roadmap that enhances national disease control programs, expands veterinary infrastructure, and ensures a sustainable ecosystem for animal health security,” she said. Ms. Upadhyaya further emphasized the need for developing a structured PPP policy within a year to ensure long-term investment and private sector participation in veterinary services.

Dr. Hirofumi Kugita, World Organization for Animal Health, Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific, acknowledged India’s leadership in veterinary services and its potential to contribute to global best practices through knowledge-sharing and laboratory collaborations.

Dr. Abhijit Mitra, Animal Husbandry Commissioner and the chief veterinary officer of the country, noted that scaling up veterinary services requires a structured institutional framework where the public and private sectors work together. He said, “This workshop has set the groundwork for defining such a framework, and the next steps will focus on execution and capacity building”.

The workshop brought together over 100 participants from State Animal Husbandry Departments, Veterinary Councils, Disease Diagnostic Laboratories, ICAR research institutes, Agent for Health and Extension of Livestock Production (A-HELP), the Agriculture Skill Council of India, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization, private sector stakeholders, Indian Federation of Animal Health Companies (INFAH), vaccine manufacturers, Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Bank. Seven WOAH experts facilitated discussions, defining PPP strategies for resource mobilization, risk management, and stakeholder integration during the workshop. The workshop concluded with the presentation of a PPP Roadmap for the Veterinary Sector, outlining actionable strategies to enhance veterinary services, disease surveillance, and livestock productivity. The outcomes will contribute to policy development, investment mobilization, and structured PPP implementation, ensuring long-term benefits for India’s animal husbandry sector.

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Aditi Agrawal

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