Initiative seeks to improve livestock quality and increase milk production in UP

Lucknow : The Yogi Adityanath-led Uttar Pradesh government is moving forward with its plan to establish two veterinary colleges—one in Tal Nadaur (Gorakhpur) and the other in Bhadohi-to enhance breed improvement and boost milk production. The institutions will benefit cattle farmers across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Nepal, with Purvanchal being the prime beneficiary.

Notably, once a thriving hub for livestock, Purvanchal in Uttar Pradesh faced a decline due to widespread malnutrition among animals, as revealed by an early study conducted by the Uttar Pradesh Livestock Development Board. Malnutrition not only impacted the health and productivity of animals, but also reduced milk production and contributed to infertility.

However, the Yogi government is now addressing these challenges head-on. In addition to its plan to establish two new veterinary colleges to address the concerns of Purvanchal’s cattle farmers, the Yogi Adityanath government has launched a comprehensive campaign to free pasture lands from encroachment. This initiative aims to ensure adequate grazing areas, improve animal health, and boost milk production.

It is worth mentioning here that Uttar Pradesh already leads the nation in milk production, contributing 16% to the country’s total output. These efforts are poised to increase milk yield further, solidifying the state’s dominance in the sector.

The veterinary colleges, affiliated with Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Vishwavidyalaya Evam Go-Anusandhan Sansthan in Mathura, will set new benchmarks in livestock development.

In Gorakhpur, 80 acres of land on the Gorakhpur-Varanasi highway have been earmarked for the college, with the first phase of construction estimated at Rs 228 crore. The 2024 budget has already allocated Rs 100 crore for the project.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath recently visited Tal Nadaur, emphasizing the development of the Veterinary College as a model institution for livestock improvement. These initiatives promise to transform Purvanchal into a beacon of excellence in livestock health and productivity.

The veterinary college in Gorakhpur will feature advanced infrastructure, including a hospital block, academic block, staff quarters, and hostels. The Yogi government also envisions upgrading this institution to a university in the future.

Similarly, the veterinary college announced by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath during his first term in Bhadohi is progressing swiftly. A 15-acre site spanning the villages of Jorai and Vedpur has been identified, with Rs 50 crore allocated in the February 2024 state budget for its construction. Experts from the Veterinary University in Mathura have inspected and approved the project site.

The Bhadohi Veterinary College will include academic buildings, laboratories, and hostels on 10 acres, while a block-level court complex will occupy the remaining 5 acres. Necessary approvals have already been secured, including an NOC from the Higher Education Department.

The college will offer undergraduate, postgraduate, and specialized veterinary programs, significantly benefiting the youth from ten districts in Purvanchal.