Government’s Pashu Aushadhi initiative, modeled after PMBJKs, will open stores nationwide to supply affordable generic veterinary medicines and ethnoveterinary remedies. Allocated Rs 75 crore under the Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme, it aims to reduce farmers’ expenses, enhance livestock health, and boost productivity by complementing vaccination programs for India.
Copyright infringement not intended
The government plans to open “Pashu Aushadhi” stores across the country to provide affordable generic veterinary medicines to people engaged in animal husbandry and dairying.
The Pashu Aushadhi initiative is modeled after the successful Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs), which have been providing quality generic medicines at affordable prices to people in order to bring down healthcare costs.
The initiative aims to replicate the success of PMBJKs but specifically for livestock, thereby reducing the financial burden on farmers associated with veterinary care.
The Pashu Aushadhi initiative is a component of the revised Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP), which has an overall budget of Rs 3,880 crore for the fiscal years 2024-25 and 2025-26.
The budget covers the provision of good quality and affordable generic veterinary medicines and incentives for the sale of these medicines through the Pashu Aushadhi Kendras.
Make quality generic veterinary medicines accessible and affordable, thereby reducing farmers' out-of-pocket expenditure.
Improve the overall health and productivity of livestock by providing timely and affordable treatment options.
Complement existing vaccination programs by ensuring that treatment is available when animals fall ill.
The Pashu Aushadhi stores will be managed by cooperative societies and Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samriddhi Kendras (PMKSKs) to leverage the existing infrastructure and networks to ensure widespread reach and efficient distribution.
The Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying will release guidelines for the functioning of these stores to ensure smooth implementation.
The Pashu Aushadhi Kendras will mainly sell generic veterinary medicines, which are unbranded drugs marketed under their approved names.
The Kendras will also promote and sell ethnoveterinary medicines based on traditional knowledge and indigenous practices.
India's livestock population, the 20th Livestock Census reported a total of 535.78 million in 2019, including 302.79 million bovines. Diseases such as Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), Brucellosis, and Lumpy Skin Disease significantly impact livestock productivity.
By making veterinary care more affordable and accessible, the Pashu Aushadhi initiative aims to reduce economic losses for farmers and improve the overall productivity of the livestock sector.
This will support the livelihoods of farmers, and also contribute to the agricultural economy by improving the health and productivity of livestock, which are important for milk production and other animal products.
Must Read Articles:
PM BHARTIYA JANAUSHADHI KENDRAS
Source:
|
PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Critically analyze the role of livestock in enhancing rural livelihoods and reducing poverty in India. 150 words |
© 2025 iasgyan. All right reserved
