**Summary:**
On August 20, 2025, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, conducted a Virtual Awareness Program aimed at enhancing livestock productivity. Union Minister of State Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel chaired the program, which connected with 100,000 livestock farmers from 2,000 Common Service Centers (CSCs) across India, specifically in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Orissa, Kerala, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Delhi, and Chandigarh.
Prof. Baghel acknowledged the significant contribution of livestock farmers to the national economy, highlighting the 5.7% annual growth rate of milk production in India over the past decade, compared to the global rate of 2%. He lauded departmental initiatives such as vaccination programs and the use of Sex-Sorted Semen (SSS) for increasing animal productivity. Farmers were encouraged to utilize the toll-free number 1962 for veterinary assistance and to prioritize animal insurance and timely vaccinations. The program included awareness videos and expert sessions focused on breed improvement, zoonotic disease control, biosecurity, and entrepreneurship development through departmental schemes. Additional Secretary DAHD Ms.Varsha Joshi, Shri. Rama Shankar Sinha, Additional Secretary DAHD along with other senior officials were also present. The initiative sought to improve knowledge exchange, policy awareness, and entrepreneurial inspiration to reinforce the role of livestock farmers in rural development and economic growth.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying: The Union Ministry responsible for the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel: Union Minister of State in the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD): The department under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, responsible for livestock and dairy development.
New Delhi: Location where Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel chaired the meeting.
1962: Toll-free number for veterinary treatment related assistance.
Chhattisgarh: One of the states in India where livestock farmers participated in the virtual awareness program.
Madhya Pradesh: One of the states in India where livestock farmers participated in the virtual awareness program.
West Bengal: One of the states in India where livestock farmers participated in the virtual awareness program.
Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
Union Minister of State Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel
Chairs “Virtual Awareness Programme for
Enhancing Livestock Productivity”
Call for Farmers to get Insurance, Vaccination and
Use of Toll - Free Number 1962 for Safeguarding
Livestock
Posted On: 20 AUG 2025 8:08PM by PIB Delhi
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal
Husbandry and Dairying, organized a “Virtual Awareness Program for Enhancing Livestock
Productivity” today. 1 Lakh + livestock farmers, from 2000 Common Service Centers (CSCs) across
India namely from states/UTs : Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Orissa, Kerala,
Andaman & Nicobar Island, Lakshadweep, Delhi and Chandigarh joined this session. The meeting was
chaired by Union Minister of State, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Ministry of
Panchayati Raj Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel from New Delhi. Ms.Varsha Joshi, Additional Secretary (DAHD),
Shri. Rama Shankar Sinha, Additional Secretary (DAHD) along with the other senior officials of the
department were also present on this occasion.In his address, Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel, highlighted the invaluable contributions of the livestock farmers in
boosting the national economy. He stated that milk production in the country has grown at the rate of 5.7 %
per annum, during the past 10 years while the world milk production growth rate is only 2% per annum. Prof.
Baghel commended the livestock farmers for this achievement. He also appreciated the departmental
initiatives like the vaccination programs, use of Sex-Sorted Semen (SSS) etc that has helped in increasing
animal productivity in the country. He interacted with the farmers and enquired about the on ground
availability of veterinary services like utilization of toll-free number 1962 for treatment related assistance.
The Union Minister of State laid emphasis on the need to opt for animal insurance and stressed on
the importance of getting the animals vaccinated as per schedule .
The program was aimed at creating awareness among farmers on critical aspects of animal husbandry,
including breed improvement, zoonotic disease control, biosecurity, and entrepreneurship development
through departmental schemes. It featured awareness videos and expert sessions on various topics to enhance
livestock productivity. The session also served as a platform for knowledge exchange, policy awareness, and
entrepreneurial inspiration, reinforcing the role of livestock farmers as key contributors to rural development
and economic growth.
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Aditi Agrawal
(Release ID: 2158636)