Rajasthan Inaugurates Call Centre for Mobile Veterinary Service, Benefitting Livestock Farmers

Jaipur, October 9, 2024: In a major step towards the welfare of livestock and cattle rearers, the Rajasthan government has launched a dedicated call centre for Mobile Veterinary Services. The initiative was inaugurated at the Rajasthan State Institute of Livestock Management and Training on Agra Road, with the aim of providing timely medical assistance to animals across the state. The project is a significant move to enhance animal health services and ease the burden on livestock farmers.

Speaking at the event, Minister for Animal Husbandry, Dairying, and Devasthan, Shri Jora Ram Kumawat, emphasized the government’s commitment to the development of animals and livestock farmers. “Our government is working with great sensitivity toward the welfare of cattle rearers. The launch of this call centre for mobile veterinary units is a commendable step that will improve animal healthcare and save both time and money for livestock farmers,” Kumawat said.

A Significant Move for Livestock Farmers

The call centre is part of a broader initiative to make veterinary services more accessible to rural livestock farmers. With this facility, farmers can now get veterinary assistance directly at their homes, ensuring that their animals receive timely treatment without the need for long journeys to veterinary hospitals. This step is expected to boost the overall productivity and health of livestock in the state, which plays a vital role in the rural economy.

Shri Kumawat expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Shri Bhajan Lal Sharma for supporting the development of this service. “The Mobile Veterinary Service and this call centre are invaluable gifts for our livestock farmers, ensuring that animals get the care they need right at their doorsteps,” he said. Additionally, Kumawat announced the upcoming implementation of the Mangala Pashu Bima Yojana, an insurance scheme aimed at further safeguarding the interests of livestock farmers.

Economic Impact of Animal Husbandry

Minister of State for Animal Husbandry, Fisheries, and Home Department, Shri Jawahar Singh Bedham, highlighted the crucial role that animal husbandry plays in the rural economy. “Animal husbandry not only strengthens the economic condition of farmers but also helps in regularizing the rural economy. Providing medical facilities directly to the homes of livestock farmers is a very beneficial initiative, as it supports the well-being of animals and contributes to the livelihood of farmers,” he stated.

The introduction of mobile veterinary units and the call centre aims to bring advanced veterinary services to rural areas, improving both animal health and the financial security of farmers. With animal husbandry being one of the primary sources of income for many rural families, this initiative is expected to have a far-reaching impact.

Ensuring Maximum Benefits for Livestock Farmers

Dr. Samit Sharma, Secretary of Animal Husbandry, Gopalan, and Fisheries, elaborated on the objectives of the call centre. “Our primary goal is to ensure that livestock and livestock farmers benefit maximally from this service. We are focusing on the optimum utilization of the call centre so that veterinary services are provided in the most efficient manner possible. In the next six months, we aim for the Animal Husbandry Department to be ranked among the top three departments in the state,” Dr. Sharma said.

He also proposed integrating video calling services into the call centre operations, further enhancing communication between farmers and veterinarians for quicker diagnosis and treatment.

Veterinary Service’s Impressive Track Record

Dr. Bhawani Singh Rathore, Director of the Department of Animal Husbandry, highlighted the achievements of the Mobile Veterinary Service in Rajasthan. “Since its inception, the service has treated more than 27.48 lakh animals and benefitted 6.86 lakh livestock farmers through 161,934 camps. The introduction of the call centre will only enhance the efficiency of these services, ensuring even greater coverage and support for rural livestock farmers,” Rathore stated during his welcome speech.

The event also featured remarks from key officials, including Shri Kishore Sambhasivam, a representative of BFIL (the partner organization in the project). Dr. Anand Sejra, Additional Director of the Department, proposed a vote of thanks, acknowledging the contributions of various officials and stakeholders involved in the successful launch of the call centre.

The launch event saw the participation of numerous officials from the Animal Husbandry Department, BFIL, and service providers, along with a large number of livestock farmers, who expressed optimism about the potential benefits of the new initiative.