New Delhi: The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, successfully conducted a large-scale Virtual Awareness Program for livestock farmers across Western and Southern States and Union Territories on July 11, 2025. The program was held through the Common Service Centres (CSCs) network and drew participation from over one lakh farmers across more than 2,000 locations.
The program was chaired by Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel, Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, and Panchayati Raj, and attended by Alka Upadhyaya, Secretary, DAHD.
Speaking at the event, Prof. Baghel described the program as a valuable opportunity for direct engagement between the government and farmers. He praised the Department’s continuous efforts in advancing the livestock sector and noted the increasing adoption of modern practices such as Sex-Sorted Semen (SSS) technology. Highlighting that the price of SSS has been significantly reduced, he urged farmers to take advantage of such schemes to boost productivity. He also interacted with farmers from various states, discussing veterinary access and awareness levels on key departmental schemes.
Alka Upadhyaya, Secretary, DAHD, emphasized the crucial role of timely vaccination in protecting animal health and preventing zoonotic diseases—those that can be transmitted from animals to humans. She spoke about the importance of breed improvement and scientific animal husbandry practices, encouraging farmers to apply their learnings to enhance their productivity and income.
Farmers from Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Goa, Puducherry, and the Union Territories of Daman and Diu, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli actively participated in the session. Educational videos and expert presentations were shared on topics such as SSS, vaccination protocols, disease prevention, and best sanitation practices.
The initiative reflects DAHD’s commitment to leveraging digital platforms for farmer outreach and capacity building. By facilitating knowledge transfer “from lab to land,” the department aims to empower livestock farmers and boost the resilience and sustainability of the animal husbandry and dairy sector.