Today there is nothing like livestock extension in the country. Its necessity is neither recognized by the policy makers nor demanded by the livestock owners. The resultant knowledge gap has been leading to several serious consequences. argue, Dr S V N Rao and Dr K Natchimuthu.
Dr S V N Rao working as Professor & Head and Dr K Natchimuthu working as Associate Professor in the department of Veterinary and AH Extension Education, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Veterinary Education and Research, Puducherry. Mailid: svnrao1953@gmail.com
Dr K Natchimuthu working as Associate Professor in the department of Veterinary and AH Extension Education, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Veterinary Education and Research, Puducherry. Mailid: natchimuthuka@gmail.com .
Thanks to Mahesh Chander for bringing out useful information on the National Livestock Mission NLM which was unveiled by the GOI in 2014 with a total outlay of Rs 2800 crores during XII plan. Opportunities are wide open for several institutions to submit proposals under different heads. The only hitch is that all these proposals have to be submitted through State DAH and the concerned state DAH has to pay 25 % of the total project outlay. As Mahesh Chander has pointed out the problem is with proper implementation and not with the schemes per se. The positive aspect of NLM is the clear cut demarcation for sub mission on Skill Development, Technology Transfer and Extension. Our experience with NLM is very positive in getting the grant from the CSS for poultry development. (The Dept. of extension of our college (Rajive Gandhi Institute of Veterinary Education and Research, Puducherry) received grants for training of poultry farmers). The DAHDF is fast in transferring the sanctioned funds through on line mode. But we are yet to get the funds ( 25 % share) from the state DAH.
The blog reminds everyone about the dire necessity of immediately strengthening extension services in general and livestock in particular. Livestock rearing is a capital intensive as well as livelihood promoting enterprise and hence greater attention serves both commercial as well as social interest. This fits well into development goals of Government and hence Government should proactively involve and invest in such services in collaboration with credible partners like BAIF, consolidators, etc. more and more. Of course the role of academic institutes, universities, ICAR (KVKs) is central to provide quality, qualified human resource for up-gradation of knowledge and skills of the personnel involved in extension services. Yes, I fully agree with the eminent authors of the blog that the present situation is not at all encouraging and gives hopes for the better future.
Congratulations to the authors for attracting attention to the area where a lot more still needs to be done. Appreciably, the National Livestock Mission recently has done commendable exercise to consider the livestock extension for the benefit of livestock owners, under the Sub-Mission on Skill Development, Technology Transfer and Extension. The state government agencies including SAUs/SVUs, KVKs and ICAR institutes have to utilize the funds available through different schemes of DAHDF under NLM. NATIONAL LIVESTOCK MISSIONs OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES published by Government of India Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Animal Husbandry Dairying & Fisheries may be referred for more details.If the various schemes proposed under the NLM are implemented properly, we can expect some visible change in livestock sector.