Pashu Aushadhi Kendras
Context:
Recently, the government proposed to launch Pashu Aushadhi Kendras to provide affordable veterinary medicines to those engaged in animal husbandry and dairying.
- This initiative is under the Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP), which focuses on improving the health and productivity of the livestock.
Relevance:
GS-02 (Government policies and interventions)
About Pashu Aushadhi Kendras:
- Aim: To provide “generic medicines” to livestock to improve its health and also to reduce the burden on farmers.
- It is introduced under the LHDCP and has a total allocation of Rs 75 crore for veterinary medicines and sales incentives.
- It also makes ethnoveterinary medicines available.
- Ethnoveterinary medicine (EVM) refers to the traditional practices and indigenous knowledge used for animal health and disease management, often based on beliefs and skills passed down through generations.
- Pashu Aushadhi Kendras are run by cooperative societies and Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samriddhi Kendras (PMKSKs).
- Objective: To prevent diseases such as Brucellosis, Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), Lumpy Skin Disease (affects cattle), and Classical Swine Fever (CSF).
About Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP):
- LHDCP is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme that focuses on improving the health, productivity, and disease management of the livestock.
- It has three components: National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP), Livestock Health & Disease Control (LH&DC), and Pashu Aushadhi.
- It is implemented by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD), Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying.
- The main objective of the program is to eradicate PPR by 2030 and control CSF through nationwide pig vaccination.
Prelims Question:
Consider the following statements regarding Pashu Aushadhi Kendras:
- Pashu Aushadhi Kendras is modelled after Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs) that provide “generic medicines” to improve livestock health.
- Under the program, affordable veterinary medicines are provided for all the pet animals, including those engaged in animal husbandry and dairying.
Choose the incorrect statement code:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: (b) 2 only
Explanation:
- Statement 2 is incorrect: Under the program, affordable veterinary medicines are provided only to those engaged in animal husbandry and dairying.
