Supporting Farmers Through Veterinary Healthcare
Pashu Aushadhi Initiative: Affordable Veterinary Medicines for India’s Farmers: The Pashu Aushadhi initiative, launched by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, is a landmark step in India’s agricultural policy. Modeled on the Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Kendra (PMBJK) system for human medicines, this programme aims to supply low-cost generic veterinary medicines to India’s vast livestock-owning population. The core objective is to ensure affordable livestock healthcare, which in turn boosts productivity and rural income.
Budget Allocation and Connection to LHDCP
Pashu Aushadhi is not a standalone scheme; it falls under the umbrella of the revised Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP). The Union Cabinet has allocated ₹3,880 crore for LHDCP across 2024–25 and 2025–26, with ₹75 crore earmarked specifically for the Pashu Aushadhi component. This financial backing ensures systematic rollout through Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samriddhi Kendras (PMKSKs) and cooperative societies. The goal is to cut down the cost burden faced by farmers who spend heavily on animal healthcare, especially for diseases like Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Brucellosis.
Livestock Census and Scope of the Initiative
As per the 20th Livestock Census (2019), India’s livestock population stood at 535.78 million, with 302.79 million bovines. Given this scale, access to disease control mechanisms is a national priority. Diseases severely affect milk yield, draught capacity, and reproduction, leading to economic losses for farmers. Pashu Aushadhi seeks to plug this gap by delivering essential medicines affordably and locally through a retail network that directly targets rural areas.
Traditional and Generic Medicines in One Storefront
An important innovation in the Pashu Aushadhi model is the inclusion of ethnoveterinary medicines. These are formulations based on traditional animal care knowledge, many of which have been identified and validated by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB). Alongside these, generic formulations for common infections, fever, wounds, and parasitic infestations will be made available. This integrated approach combines modern medicine with local wisdom, thereby increasing acceptability among farmers.
STATIC GK SNAPSHOT
Pashu Aushadhi Initiative: Affordable Veterinary Medicines for India’s Farmers:
| Topic | Details |
| Scheme Name | Pashu Aushadhi Initiative |
| Ministry | Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying |
| Budget Allocation (2024–26) | ₹75 crore under LHDCP outlay of ₹3,880 crore |
| Model Inspired By | Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJK) |
| Key Implementing Agencies | PMKSKs, Cooperative Societies, NDDB |
| Livestock Population (2019 Census) | 535.78 million (302.79 million bovines) |
| Major Diseases Targeted | Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), Brucellosis |
| Inclusion of Traditional Medicine | Ethnoveterinary formulations by NDDB |
| Launch Year | 2025 (Expected Full Rollout) |
| Scheme Goal | Affordable veterinary healthcare for improved productivity |
