Veterinarians Gently Hold Together the Threads of Food, Health, and Human Dignity in J&K

Credit By: AADIL AKBAR BABA

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25 Apr 2026

On World Veterinary Day 2026, it is time to acknowledge the role of veterinary professionals in safeguarding livelihoods and food systems

WORLD VETERINARY DAY

World Veterinary Day rarely makes headlines, yet its relevance is deeply felt in regions like Jammu and Kashmir, where livestock is not just an economic activity but a lifeline. The 2026 theme, “Veterinarians: Guardians of Food and Health,” highlights a profession that works quietly for the interests of rural livelihoods and public well-being.

The economy of Jammu and Kashmir, since time immemorial, has been majorly dependent on agriculture and allied sectors, with livestock rearing considered a major pillar. Sheep, goats, and cattle sustain thousands of families, particularly among nomadic and pastoral communities. However, years of instability disrupted grazing routes, limited access to highland pastures, and weakened traditional livestock systems. These challenges had a visible impact on rural livelihoods and economic stability.

Despite these odds, the livestock sector in Jammu and Kashmir has shown remarkable achievements. In J&K, higher per capita milk availability reflects steady gains in productivity and better livestock management practices. J&K ranks among the leading states in sheep and goat population, and 2^nd largest in wool production in the country. This progress is reflected in improved livestock productivity and rising farmers’ income, making the sector a key pillar of rural adaptability in the region.

Veterinary professionals have ensured continuity by delivering essential services at the grassroots level. From vaccination and deworming to emergency care and disease surveillance, their work has significantly reduced livestock mortality and improved productivity. In fact, routine vaccination and deworming schedules often begin before sunrise, especially in remote and migratory settings, where timing is critical to reach dispersed herds.

In the highland pastures of Kashmir, it is not uncommon to see a veterinarian walking miles to reach a nomadic family, carrying basic medicines and equipment. For a herder whose entire livelihood depends on a single flock, the arrival of a veterinarian is not just a service, but it is hope. Department of Sheep Husbandry, Kashmir, is establishing veterinary health care camps at various highland pastures of the Kashmir Division from June to September by mobilising men and machinery at these sky-kissing peaks.

The role of veterinarians is equally visible in key public and tourism spaces. The annual Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, for instance, is largely facilitated by horses and ponies that carry pilgrims across difficult terrains. Similarly, tourist destinations such as Gulmarg and Pahalgam rely heavily on these animals for mobility and tourist enjoyment. Veterinarians conduct regular screening of these animals to ensure they are fit for duty, and dedicated first-aid veterinary camps are established at these sites. These interventions not only safeguard animal welfare but also ensure the safety and smooth conduct of pilgrimage and tourism activities.

The responsibilities of veterinarians do not end in the field only. With the growing emphasis on digital governance, veterinary professionals are required to update real-time data on platforms such as the Bharat Pashudhan App. These entries, which often involve uploading 2–3 GB of data regularly, are essential for monitoring livestock health, artificial insemination programs, tracking disease control, and ensuring transparency in service delivery. However, this requires reliable mobile connectivity, adequate data support, and access to smartphones and digital devices, particularly for field-level para-veterinarians who are at the forefront of implementation.

Equally important is their role in awareness and capacity building. Through Information and Dissemination programmes and the State Extension Program for Extension Reforms (ATMA) Component of Centrally Sponsored Scheme “Sub-mission on Agriculture Extension (SAME), veterinarians have helped farmers adopt scientific livestock management practices with due consideration to Women/SC/ST and other marginal farmers. These efforts have bridged the gap between traditional knowledge and modern techniques, empowering farmers to improve both productivity and sustainability.

Government initiatives like the National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP) have expanded access to veterinary care and disease control. In addition, livelihood-focused programmes like the Integrated Dairy Development Scheme (IDDS), Integrated Poultry Development Scheme, Integrated Sheep Development Scheme (ISDS), Infrastructure for Development of Tribals (TSP), and Pradhan Mantri Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Unnat Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (PM-DAJGUA) have created new opportunities for income generation and youth engagement in livestock enterprises.

Flagship programmes such as the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) have brought new momentum by integrating agriculture and allied sectors. In the livestock sector, projects like Dairy Development in Jammu and Kashmir, Self-Sufficiency in Mutton Production, and the Roadmap for Poultry Development have improved productivity and strengthened the rural economy. Another important initiative, the Jammu and Kashmir Competitiveness Improvement Programme (JKCIP), aims to bridge traditional farming systems with modern innovations. It focuses on building a more competitive, inclusive, and resilient agri-value chain, helping farmers adapt to changing market demands.

Veterinarians play a key role in implementing these programmes at the grassroots level. Through Kisan Sampark Abhiyan, conducted at village-level camps under HADP, more than 1.25 lakh applications were received online in the livestock sector, reflecting strong farmer participation, most of whom are educated unemployed youths (men & women), thus breaking the old stereotypes that herd rearing is a layman's job. Digital platforms such as the Daksh Kisan Portal have further strengthened this system. Farmers can enrol in training modules related to HADP projects, gain practical knowledge, and receive certificates upon completion.

These platforms also enable young farmers to improve their farm output, learn Good Management Practices in the livestock sector, share their ideas, and access expert guidance. This marks the beginning of a more modern and digitally driven farming system. From application submission to scrutiny at different administrative levels, the process ensures transparency and efficiency. Continuous monitoring through Kisan Sathi Output Tracking (KSOT) further supports accountability and effective implementation, often requiring dedicated effort beyond regular working hours.

In addition to development programmes, several credit-linked schemes such as the Kisan Credit Card, Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF), and breed development initiatives under the National Livestock Mission (NLM) not only support farmers financially but also help them establish new income-generating enterprises. Yet, beyond these schemes, it is often the quiet effort of veterinarians at the grassroots that makes the real difference. They care deeply about the needs of their farmers, and while treating animals, they also guide farmers towards financial inclusion, helping them access these benefits and secure their livelihoods.

At the same time, social security schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) provide an added layer of protection. By encouraging farmers to enrol in these schemes, veterinarians help to ensure that dependent families are supported in times of uncertainty, especially in cases of untimely or accidental loss. In this way, their role extends beyond animal care to becoming a source of stability, trust, and reassurance for rural households.

An equally important aspect of veterinary outreach is the affordability of services. Essential medicines are provided to farmers at subsidised, government-approved rates, ensuring that even small and marginal livestock owners can access treatment without financial burden. In addition, several vaccination programmes are conducted free of cost as part of disease control initiatives. These measures not only improve animal health but also reduce economic stress on farmers and encourage wider participation in preventive healthcare.

Beyond livestock care, veterinarians play a critical role in protecting public health. Many infectious diseases originate in animals and have the potential to spread to humans. Through timely diagnosis, vaccination campaigns, and preventive measures, veterinary professionals help to eradicate such risks. Their work aligns with the “One Health” approach, which recognises the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.

Apart from field services and public health, the role of the veterinary profession is often misjudged when viewed only through the prism of the supply and demand of meat and milk. Veterinarians also make significant contributions to research and development. Scientific studies and medical advancements frequently involve laboratory animals, where trained veterinary professionals ensure ethical standards, proper care, and accurate monitoring of experiments.

In recent years, veterinary services in the region have also been strengthened through improved diagnostic infrastructure. Advanced facilities such as X-ray and ultrasonography (USG) are available in several districts, enabling accurate and timely diagnosis of animal diseases. In addition, animal disease investigation and diagnostic laboratories play a key role by conducting various biochemistry, parasitological, serological, and pathological tests for timely and accurate diagnosis and disease surveillance. These facilities play a crucial role in early detection, effective treatment, and overall safeguarding of livestock health.

Veterinary services have also contributed to long-term improvements through scientific interventions such as artificial insemination and other breed development programmes. At the same time, veterinarians are addressing challenges like antimicrobial resistance by promoting the responsible and ethical use of medicines. Yet, their workday rarely ends with field visits.

Telemedicine and advisory services often continue till late at night, as farmers seek urgent guidance. This extended responsibility further highlights the need for institutional support. Breed importation programs like Texel, Dorper, US Dairy bulls, and Milch Goat Breeds have been added to enhance the local germplasm so as to meet the supply and demand. By embryo transfer technology, successful results have been recorded by the Department of Sheep Husbandry, Kashmir, in the recent past.

There is also a growing need to strengthen the capacity of para-veterinary staff. Diploma-level para-veterinarian courses should be properly affiliated and recognised by institutions such as Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) to ensure standardised training, professional credibility, and better service delivery, and more skill-based refresh courses may be kept under consideration to acquaint them with the latest technological advancements.

However, despite significant contributions, veterinary professionals often work with limited infrastructure and modest recognition. Recognising veterinary services as essential services, along with ensuring adequate staffing, digital support, connectivity, and incentives, is no longer optional, but it is necessary for long-term food and health security.

On this World Veterinary Day, the need is not just to acknowledge veterinarians, but to truly recognise their place in society as guardians of both food and health. They may treat animals, but in reality, they also sustain livelihoods, protect public health, and secure the food systems we all depend on. They may work in silence, far from public attention, but their impact reaches every household. In strengthening them, we strengthen our farms, our health systems, and our future.

(The Author can be reached at: Aadilbaba125@gmail.com)