The Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands has unveiled a two-pronged approach to tackle pressing challenges in the livestock sector. On one hand, it is working on a proposal to procure high-yielding milch cattle from the mainland to address the shortage of fresh cow’s milk in the islands. On the other, it has begun equipping veterinary staff with digital tools such as the Bharat Pashudhan App to streamline livestock management and improve service delivery.
In recent months, the department has received several representations from livestock farmers and stakeholders requesting access to better-yielding animals. The shortage of milk, particularly in urban clusters, has been a persistent issue, and the administration is now actively considering introducing cattle breeds from the mainland. To begin with, the department has initiated an exercise to assess requirements from farmers across the islands.
As per the proposal, the department will procure good-quality animals from the mainland based on the demand assessed and supply them to local farmers on a full-cost basis. While farmers will bear the cost of purchasing animals, the department will absorb overheads such as feeding, veterinary healthcare, quarantine and testing, and transportation. These additional expenses are often barriers for small farmers, and the move is intended to make high-yielding animals more accessible.
Eligibility criteria have also been set to ensure that beneficiaries can maintain the productivity of the cattle. Experience in dairy farming, membership in a livestock cooperative, knowledge of dairy practices, and availability of land for fodder cultivation or proper feed management will be among the key requirements. Officials explained that these conditions are essential to avoid situations where animals fail to deliver expected yields due to poor management practices.
Farmers unwilling to rely on departmental procurement will also have the option of purchasing cattle directly from the mainland and handing them over to the department at designated sea ports, from where transportation to the islands will be provided free of cost. Notices about the proposal have been circulated to Gram Panchayat Pradhans, who are tasked with informing livestock farmers in their jurisdictions. Farmers interested in participating have been asked to submit their requirements through the Gram Panchayats to facilitate a comprehensive assessment.
Parallel to this initiative, the department has also advanced its digital push through the training of veterinary compounders on the Bharat Pashudhan App. A session was held at the Veterinary Hospital in Junglighat, with 33 compounders participating, 18 in person and 15 online. Resource persons from the National Digital Livestock Mission guided participants through the app’s features, emphasising its utility in livestock data management, health monitoring, treatment tracking, and service coordination.
The app is designed to centralise livestock data, making it easier for field-level veterinary staff to record and manage information. Officials say the adoption of digital tools like Bharat Pashudhan will strengthen the administration’s ability to monitor animal health trends, ensure timely interventions, and boost overall livestock productivity in the islands.
By equipping veterinary staff with these skills, the department aims to enhance efficiency and responsiveness in livestock services. Farmers, in turn, are expected to benefit from better monitoring, quicker access to treatment, and more reliable coordination between field workers and veterinary officers.
Together, the twin initiatives, introducing high-yield cattle and strengthening digital livestock management, are expected to reshape the animal husbandry landscape in the islands. While the former addresses immediate concerns of milk shortage, the latter sets the stage for long-term improvements in productivity and service delivery. If implemented effectively, these measures could significantly improve the livelihoods of livestock farmers and ensure a more sustainable dairy supply in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
