Veterinary research must benefit common people and farmers: CM

Veterinary research must move beyond academic institutions and translate into tangible benefits for ordinary people and farmers, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan said on Saturday (November 14).

Inaugurating the 18th Kerala Veterinary Science Congress and national seminar organised by the Indian Veterinary Association (IVA), Keralam, at the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, he said the government will extend full support to establish mechanisms to ensure that research findings reached the grassroots.

Pointing to the mounting challenges faced by farmers owing to declining agricultural production and falling prices, Mr. Satheesan said livestock rearing had emerged as a major source of livelihood for farmers, particularly in the Western Ghats region. “No farmer can sustain a livelihood by depending on agriculture alone under the present circumstances,” he said, assuring increased government support for the animal husbandry sector. The allocation for the sector would be enhanced from the next Budget, he announced.

Highlighting the rapid advances in biotechnology, artificial intelligence and genetics, he said emerging technologies were set to transform healthcare and animal husbandry, requiring new approaches to address future challenges.

Emphasising the importance of the One Health concept, which recognises the interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental health, the Chief Minister said it had been incorporated into the State’s health policy.

“Unless we learn the lessons of One Health from the COVID pandemic, we will continue to encounter similar challenges in the future,” he said.

To combat global travel-related disease risks like Nipah, Kerala is seeking a robust system to monitor animal outbreaks by linking its health policy with the One Health laboratory network. The government pledged financial and other support to establish a dedicated public health wing.

The three-day conference is being organised in collaboration with the Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU), Animal Husbandry department and Kerala State Veterinary Council. The Chief Minister also appreciated the participation and cooperation of universities in Gulf countries.

IVA Kerala president V.K.P. Mohankumar presided over the function. The conference aims to promote farmer welfare through scientific advances in livestock development and sustainable animal health, with technical sessions, research presentations, practitioner interactions and farmer-entrepreneur meetings.