Experts welcome budget boost to veterinary infra, seek attention on animal health, nutrition

Budget 2026 Delivers Major Lift to Veterinary Sector

In a significant move for India's rural economy, the Union Budget 2026 has announced a comprehensive push to strengthen veterinary infrastructure, recognizing livestock's vital role in farm incomes. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman highlighted that livestock accounts for nearly 16 percent of agricultural income, especially for poor and marginal farming households. To address this, the government plans to launch a loan-linked capital subsidy scheme aimed at expanding the availability of veterinary professionals by more than 20,000. This initiative will support the establishment of veterinary and para-veterinary colleges, hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, and breeding facilities in the private sector.

The scheme also encourages collaborations between Indian and foreign institutions to enhance skills and capacity building in animal healthcare. This comes at a time when access to quality veterinary services remains a challenge in many rural areas, often leading to higher animal mortality and reduced productivity for farmers reliant on dairy, poultry, and other livestock. By drawing in private investment, the budget seeks to create a more robust network of services that can stabilize incomes and support sustainable livelihoods. Experts view this as a timely intervention to modernize the sector and align it with broader goals of rural development.

Experts Praise Initiative but Call for Broader Reforms

Veterinary professionals and agricultural experts have welcomed the budget's focus on infrastructure as a crucial step forward. They note that the addition of over 20,000 trained vets could dramatically improve disease control, breeding practices, and overall animal productivity across India's vast livestock population of over 53 crore animals, including 30 crore dairy cattle. However, many are pushing for equal attention to animal health and nutrition, areas they say are equally critical for long-term gains.

It is good to see some focus on building veterinary professional capacity, which can improve farmers’ timely access to the required guidance and support. Among others, the initiative can also be leveraged to prevent disease on farms and reduce use of chemicals like antibiotics, particularly in intensive and commercial livestock farms, said Amit Khurana, director of the Sustainable Food Systems programme at the Centre for Science and Environment.

Industry observers point out that while infrastructure expansion is promising, issues like nutritional deficiencies in fodder and preventive healthcare need dedicated funding to complement these efforts. Strengthening mobile veterinary units and doorstep services, already mentioned in budget provisions, could bridge gaps in remote regions, but experts emphasize integrating nutrition programs to boost milk yields and meat production naturally. This balanced approach, they argue, would maximize the benefits for smallholder farmers who dominate the sector.

Wider Implications for Rural Economy and Livelihoods

The budget's veterinary push is part of a larger strategy to diversify rural incomes through animal husbandry, dairying, and allied activities. It builds on existing frameworks like the Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund, which supports dairy processing, meat facilities, feed plants, and breed improvement. A new credit-linked subsidy program for entrepreneurship will modernize livestock enterprises and foster integrated value chains for dairy, poultry, and livestock, promoting Livestock Farmer Producer Organisations for better market access.

Allocations for the animal husbandry and dairying sector have seen a notable increase, with over ₹6,000 crore set aside, reflecting a 16 percent rise from the previous year. Complementary measures, such as developing 500 water bodies for fisheries and promoting high-value crops in hilly areas, underscore the government's holistic vision for agriculture. Private sector participation is being incentivized to drive innovation, technology adoption, and employment generation, particularly for youth in rural areas.

Challenges persist, including the need for better disease surveillance and affordable nutrition supplements to counter fodder shortages. Experts suggest leveraging these funds for AI-driven tools and global partnerships to enhance decision-making for farmers. Overall, the veterinary boost is seen as a foundation, but sustained emphasis on health and nutrition will be key to unlocking the sector's full potential and ensuring food security.

In summary, Union Budget 2026's veterinary infrastructure investments have been hailed by experts for supporting livestock-dependent farmers, though they stress the importance of prioritizing animal health and nutrition to achieve enduring rural prosperity.