44 mobile units deployed to strengthen vet care in state

Recognising the deep connection between rural households and their livestock, the state government has taken several progressive steps to promote animal husbandry as a viable and dignified source of income.

An official spokesperson said here today that Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has fulfilled a key election promise, the introduction of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for cow and buffalo milk. Himachal Pradesh has become the first state in the country to offer MSP on milk, setting a powerful example in support of dairy farmers, he said.

“These efforts will not only strengthen the rural economy but also contribute significantly to the overall development of the state,” said the Chief Minister. He said the government procures 2.25 lakh lts of cow milk daily from over 38,400 livestock owners, paying Rs 51 per lt based on quality. Similarly, 7,800 lts of buffalo milk is being procured from 1,482 farmers at Rs 61 per lt. In a pioneering move, a pilot project for goat milk procurement at Rs 70 per lt has also been launched,” he added.

To strengthen veterinary care at the grassroots level, the government has deployed 44 Mobile Veterinary Units (MVUs) across the state. These units provide door-to-door services, ensuring that livestock owners even in remote areas, receive timely medical attention for their livestock. A dedicated toll-free helpline (1962) is also in place to assist with livestock-related concerns. So far, over 18,700 disease-related calls and 17,850 other queries have been resolved through this service.

“In a bid to support marginalised farmers, the government has implemented the ‘Garbhit Pashu Aahar Yojna’, under which 31,110 livestock owners have received high-quality animal feed at a 50 per cent subsidy. This initiative has contributed significantly to better animal health and higher milk productivity,” he added.

Himachal Tribune