More funds sought for animal sector

​Tirupati: The fund allocation for the animal husbandry should be commensurate with performance and contribution made by this sector, said Dr N Balaraman, former Vice-Chancellor of Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS), while addressing at the fifth convocation of Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University (SVVU) here on Monday.

• Dr N Balaraman, former VC of TANUVAS, attends fifth convocation of SVVU
• Says 30 per cent of GDP contributed by farm sector is derived from livestock
• SVVU inked MoUs with international universities and collaborated with industries: VC Dr Manmohan Singh

The former VC said that the 30 percent of GDP contributed by the farm sector is derived from livestock. However, at the time of fund allocation, the livestock sector has always taken a beating he said stressing on increasing the fund allocation to veterinary and animal husbandry in tune with its performance to help the sector to make further strides.

Balaraman also emphasised on including veterinarians in all panels and committees relating to veterinary and animal sciences at the State and Central level, in the context of the emerging trend of technocrats being increasingly involved in the policy formulations. Disease investigation facilities need not be centralised in one place but should be located in several places for speedy diagnosis and prevention of spreading infection while transport and handling of animals from one place to another.

Looking into the size of the country, only one centralised facility at Bhopal will not do justice to the needs of our country, he said adding that the problem of street animals and strengthening of extension programmes should be taken up on the priority basis, he said. Balaraman also stressed on an integration of advanced scientific fields like biotechnology, nanotechnology, bio-engineering and information and communication technology with veterinary science since no more the veterinary scientists can function in isolation.

In his report, SVVU Vice-Chancellor Dr Manmohan Singh said that for the first time the university was sanctioned Rs 77.5 crore under RIDF 20th tranche under which 19 works were taken up and Rs 57.5 crore were sanctioned under 21st tranche under which 18 works were taken up.

Establishment of a lab at Lam Farm, Guntur and setting up of aqua analytical lab at Fisheries Research Station, Undi in West Godavari district are major initiatives apart from construction of TVCC and dormitories for internees, he added.

The Vice Chancellor said that the SVUU has taken up many initiatives like creating ample opportunity for clinical practice, development of entrepreneurial skills through programmes such as revolving fund, earn while you learn, experiential learning, labs, establishing modern analytical and product progressing labs, facilitating private participation in education, entering into MoUs with other national and international universities and also collaborating with industries, corporate livestock, poultry farms and feed industry etc.

In all, 1,201 degrees including 730 BVSc&AH, 125 B Tech in Dairy Technology, 74 BFSc, 256 MFSc and 16 PhDs were conferred in the convocation. On the occasion, gold medals to 74 undergraduates, graduates and PhD candidates and Young Scientist award to 15 faculty members, meritorious awards for teachers and research scientists were also presented. SVVU board members, Academic Council members, teachers and students were present.