Revolutionizing Rural Veterinary Care

Livestock plays a vital role in India’s agricultural economy, serving as a key source of income, nutrition, and livelihood for millions of smallholder farmers. It contributes significantly to agricultural Gross Value Added (GVA) through dairy, meat, and other products. However, the sector faces several challenges, such as poor access to healthcare and high disease prevalence, which limit its productivity. Ensuring animal health is critical not only for improving productivity but also for safeguarding food security and rural incomes.

Despite the importance of livestock, veterinary services remain inadequate. India has only 65,894 veterinary institutions, leaving a gap of approximately 41,000 institutions and professionals to meet the demands of its livestock population. Additionally, diseases like Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), Brucellosis, and Avian Influenza cause annual losses amounting to billions of dollars. FMD alone is responsible for an estimated USD 3.1 billion in losses each year. Farmers in remote areas face limited access to timely veterinary care, increasing the risk of preventable deaths and economic hardship.

Telemedicine has emerged as a powerful solution to address the challenges of rural veterinary care. With increasing smartphone penetration and tele-density, farmers can access expert veterinary advice remotely. Video calls, chat services, and helplines connect animal keepers to Registered Veterinary Practitioners (RVPs), allowing them to receive medical advice, prescriptions, and diagnoses without having to travel. Telemedicine helps reduce financial burdens, improve animal welfare, and ensures better disease management and food safety across the sector.

As a player in promoting telemedicine in livestock care Shunya, an innovative digital platform aligned with India’s goals for sustainable rural development. The Shunya app is designed not only to streamline veterinary services for animal keepers but also to provide a dedicated section for veterinarians. This section enables RVPs to:

  • Track livestock cases remotely and provide consultations.
  • Issue e-prescriptions and monitor treatment follow-ups.
  • Access digital records of animals registered via the Pashu Aadhaar ID system for accurate diagnosis and care continuity.

The app enhances communication between farmers and RVPs, making remote consultations smoother and more effective. Veterinarians can also use Shunya to coordinate with nearby pharmacies for medicine delivery, ensuring quick access to treatments. By creating a robust ecosystem for animal healthcare, Shunya strengthens the telemedicine framework and helps bridge the gap in veterinary services across India.

NITIVeT: India’s Flagship Telemedicine Platform for Livestock

The NITIVeT platform, developed by NITI Aayog, plays a crucial role in the telemedicine ecosystem. This user-friendly, web-based platform allows animal keepers to consult with veterinarians through text, audio, or video calls. Farmers can register their animals using the Pashu Aadhaar ID, which helps maintain digital health records. The platform offers several key features, such as:

  • Real-time consultations with veterinarians.
  • E-prescriptions and digital payment options.
  • Remote diagnostics and health monitoring, ensuring early detection of diseases.

Initiatives like Shunya and NITIVeT form a comprehensive system for livestock telemedicine, offering both practical tools and seamless connectivity between farmers, veterinarians, and pharmacies.

The Shunya app would offer:

  • Tele-consultation: Farmers consult veterinarians via video or chat to discuss symptoms and receive medical advice.
  • Tele-diagnostics: Vets diagnose animal conditions remotely by analyzing images, videos, or health data from wearable devices.
  • Tele-prescription: E-prescriptions are sent directly to farmers, allowing them to purchase medications without delay.
  • Remote Monitoring: Sensors and IoT devices monitor animal vitals (like temperature or milk output) and send alerts to RVPs, enabling preventive care.

Listen to more on the subject on the Got Milk? podcast.