Dr P L Koul
Decision of Government for creation of two veterinary universities at R. S. Pura in Jammu and Shuhama in Kashmir is a dream come true for the Veterinary profession in general and the people and the farming community in particular. Animal sector is a vital engine and main pillar of growth in the Indian economy and more so in hilly and mountainous State of Jammu and Kashmir and as such needs priority by the Government to intensify the development of animal sector.
Creation of veterinary university at Jammu and Kashmir will cater the need of higher education and research which would help the state to boost the developmental activities in Animal sector components viz., Animal and Sheep Husbandry, Dairy, Poultry and Fisheries in respect of production and productivity and would definitely make the state self sufficient in milk, mutton, eggs, chicken, fish and wood production, besides generating employment opportunities.
Increasing population, urbanization and demand for quality food in developing countries like India are catalyzing a massive global increase in demand for food of animal origin. The present food scenario thus indicates that animal proteins requirement would rise faster than cereals in consumption pattern of Indian people. Jammu and Kashmir State is not an exception and the region which is bestowed with different climatic conditions has shown an alarming increase in animal food consumption, especially of mutton and chickens besides decline in productivity sustainability and profitability. The State is unable to bridge the gap of supply and demand. Despite the state’s vast and rich bio-diversity, the state still imports milk, poultry, eggs and live sheep and goats worth Rs. 2,000/- crore every year from all over North India to cater the local needs. This huge amount instead could have provided better employment opportunities to the un-employed youth.
There is an increasing need felt among the length and breadth of Veterinary profession that promotion of education and research programmes in Veterinary Science has not met the developmental needs of the country in particular and Veterinary profession at large. In the present era of knowledge explosion, states increasingly prefer independent Veterinary university for promotion of education and research, so that relevant development in animal sector can be intensified. This has resulted into establishment of Veterinary Universities in many states of the country viz., Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, U.P., Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Kerala, M. P., Rajasthan and many more are in the process of formation.
Likewise Jammu and Kashmir State is in dire need of an independent Veterinary University to cater the need of wide-range of higher education and research which would help the State to boost different animal sector components in respect of production and productivity. It will help to promote and formulate islands of excellence in every discipline, besides identifying needs based projects and schemes based on Stat’s priority that would help in increasing the live stock sector resources.
The State is endowed with natural resources that can boost wide variety of Flora and Fauna with habitat diversity best suited for animal rearing and grazing. A sustainable exploitation of these resources under the command of Veterinary University will have added advantage of attaining the self-reliance and employment generation.
The State is also fortunate enough to have services of two existing independent departments of animals and sheep husbandry in two provinces of Jammu and Kashmir and in addition to these two veterinary colleges each at Srinagar and Jammu under two state Agriculture Universities. This would be no doubt strengthened by the creation of two Veterinary Universities, which would cater the need in the development of State’s economy, prosperity, self-reliance and employment generation, besides ensuring availability of research outputs relevant to the specific needs of the farmer through massive input of latest technology and management. There is no doubt that the State should become a major exporter of animal products in next decade or two.
There are no huge funds, buildings and space needed, these can be well managed, but it surely needs lots of goodwill and judicious decision. We should ensure that University of Veterinary Science becomes an institute of hope and excellence.
(The author is former Founder Professor and Head and Vice President (IAVP); Veterinary Faculty, Gujarat Agricultural University)
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