The Government of India has initiated a nationwide scheme to enhance animal healthcare by establishing Pashu Aushadhi Vikray Kendras, retail outlets offering affordable, generic veterinary drugs for livestock owners. The initiative under the Livestock Health and Disease Control Program aims to improve accessibility to quality medicines in rural and remote areas while reducing treatment costs for farmers.
Registered Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samridhi Kendras and Cooperative Societies can open the Kendras, provided they meet eligibility criteria. Applicants must have at least 120 square feet of space, employ a licensed pharmacist with a B. Pharma or D. Pharma qualification, and possess a drug sale license from the State Drug Control Authority. Each revenue block is allowed only one Kendra, with priority for areas housing large livestock populations.
Financial incentives form a key component of the program. Store operators will earn a 20% margin on the selling price of medicines, excluding taxes. A one-time incentive of Rs. 1.5 lakh is available for Kendras established in aspirational districts, hilly regions, islands, and northeastern states. Additionally, a monthly incentive of up to Rs. 20,000 will be provided based on stock maintenance and the volume of medicines purchased and sold.
The scheme restricts sales to medicines supplied by the Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Bureau of India, and billing is required through the official Point-of-Sale system. Ethno-veterinary products and certified animal feeds may also be sold. The program is implemented jointly by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, the Ministry of Cooperation, and the PMBI. Applications must be submitted online through the DAHD portal, with a Rs. 5,000 application fee waived for aspirational areas. Detailed guidelines are accessible online for interested applicants.
The Pashu Aushadhi Kendras scheme is designed not only to reduce veterinary costs for farmers but also to promote rural entrepreneurship and create employment opportunities through cooperatives and retail outlets. By integrating livestock healthcare with local business initiatives, the program seeks to strengthen rural economies while ensuring timely and affordable access to medicines.
Officials urge eligible individuals associated with PM-KSKs or cooperative societies to apply for the Kendras, emphasizing the role of local participation in enhancing animal health infrastructure. The initiative aims to cover underserved regions and provide a consistent supply of veterinary medicines, thereby supporting both livestock welfare and the livelihoods of rural communities.
With this move, the government seeks to address long-standing gaps in veterinary service accessibility while incentivizing cooperative and community-led business models, reinforcing sustainable livestock management across the country.
