The Department of Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services (AH&VS) actively participated in several key melas across the Andaman & Nicobar Islands during January 2026, providing interactive stalls to engage farmers, livestock owners, students, and the general public.
The initiatives form part of the Department’s ongoing efforts to promote scientific animal husbandry practices, raise awareness about government schemes, and strengthen community outreach in rural and tourist areas.
AH&VS had a significant presence at the Vivekananda Mela in Shaheed Dweep on January 12. The Department also participated in Subhash Mela events held simultaneously at Mayabunder, Kadamtala, and Swaraj Dweep on January 23. At each venue, the departmental stalls offered a platform to showcase a range of schemes and services, including vaccination drives, disease prevention measures, artificial insemination (AI & SSS-AI), poultry and goatery development programmes, fodder management techniques, and financial assistance and subsidy schemes for farmers and livestock rearers.
Veterinary officers and trained staff were present throughout the events, interacting closely with visitors, providing on-the-spot guidance, and responding to queries related to animal health, vaccination schedules, nutrition, breeding techniques, and farm management. Informational materials were also distributed to participants to enhance understanding of scientific livestock practices.
The stalls received an encouraging response from farmers, students, women’s self-help group members, and the general public, reflecting growing interest in adopting scientific animal husbandry methods and leveraging government support programmes.
Officials emphasized that such participations are critical to increasing awareness among rural communities and ensuring that livestock owners can access modern techniques, financial aid, and technical guidance to improve productivity and farm sustainability.
The Department’s presence at these melas also aligns with broader government objectives to promote rural development, strengthen agricultural livelihoods, and ensure effective dissemination of knowledge on livestock management.
Through these interactions, AH&VS aims to empower livestock owners and farmers with actionable guidance, helping them implement vaccination, nutrition, and breeding strategies while improving overall productivity and animal health in the islands.
The Department reaffirmed its commitment to continue engaging with communities through similar outreach initiatives, ensuring wider participation and awareness about scientific animal husbandry practices and government support schemes.
